Efforts to ensure that vendors outside schools comply with the national School Nutrition Policy remain a work in progress. This was highlighted by Nita Phillips-Boyce, head of the School Nutrition Policy Implementation Committee, as she noted ongoing resistance from some vendors who continue to sell non-compliant food items to students.
Speaking at the launch of the School Nutrition Policy’s communication campaign at the Ministry of Health, Phillips-Boyce stressed the importance of achieving full compliance.
“We would really love that everyone would comply. And right now, the pushback that we’re getting is with the vendors,” she stated.
She expressed concern that while nursery schools successfully adhere to the guidelines—with parents bringing fruits and water as recommended by principals—the same level of compliance is not observed in higher education levels.
“What I find very disconcerting is that in our nursery schools, we get it right. The children, the parents are bringing the fruits and the water for the children, as recommended by the principals. But when they go higher up in education, we find the vendors on the outside selling the items which are non-compliant, and the parents are giving the children the leeway to do so,” she explained.
Phillips-Boyce reaffirmed that the initiative is ongoing and that authorities will continue to work towards ensuring that vendors support the goal of providing healthier food options for school children. “So this is a work in progress,” she concluded.
The School Nutrition Policy aims to promote healthier eating habits among students, but officials recognize that achieving widespread adherence requires continuous education and enforcement efforts. As the initiative progresses, it remains to be seen how authorities will address the challenges posed by vendors resisting the policy.