Announcements

In a bid towards bolstering education and food security in Sierra Leone, the World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has officially launched the nationwide distribution of over 2,000 metric tons of locally sourced rice and pulses to more than 1,100 public schools.

The commodities, procured from smallholder farmers in seven districts, will feed over 270,000 schoolchildren daily under the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme, an initiative aimed at boosting learning outcomes, reducing child hunger, and stimulating rural economies.

The official flagging-off ceremony in Freetown showcased the government's growing commitment to local procurement as a cornerstone of national development. The event brought together government ministers, donor agencies, local farmers, and school officials.

WFP Country Director, Ms. Yvonne Forsen, hailed the moment as a milestone in Sierra Leone’s food systems transformation.

“Home-grown school feeding is not just a meal programme—it is an investment in children, farmers, and the future of this country,” she said. 

“WFP is proud to support the government in scaling up this impactful initiative under the FEED SALONE strategy.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Henry Musa Kpaka, emphasized the economic ripple effect of the programme.
“When we procure locally, we don’t just feed children—we empower farmers, strengthen value chains, and inject life into rural communities,” he stated.

Representing the education sector, Deputy Minister I of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Ms. Emilia Gorgra, reiterated the importance of the programme in keeping children in school.

“A hungry child cannot learn. School meals keep our children focused, motivated, and present,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, Dr. John Paul Kaisam, underlined the importance of maintaining food quality and safety across the distribution chain. “Standards are essential to ensure our children receive not just food, but safe and nutritious food,” he noted.

Since 2024, with support from multiple donors including the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), WFP has procured over 1,000 metric tons of produce from 8,355 farmers. This year’s expanded target will inject over US$2 million into local economies, further cementing the role of smallholder farmers in national development.

With this distribution, 1,155 schools across the country will now benefit from consistent, nutritious meals—reflecting a clear government push to institutionalize school feeding as a core part of both its education and agricultural policies.

As Sierra Leone strengthens its commitment to human capital development and food security, the HGSF programme stands out as a powerful, community-driven model for inclusive growth.