Africka Stephens | School Nutrition Policy is a long-awaited step forward

Jamaica has taken a significant step forward with the tabling of the National School Nutrition Policy (SNP) in the Senate on May 9. This policy sets out clear principles and actions to promote healthy eating in all Jamaican schools, and aims to ensure that every child, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food in a school environment that fosters health and learning.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Jamaica is compelled under Article 24 to ensure every child enjoys the highest attainable standard of health, which includes access to nutritious food in a safe school environment. For too long, our children have been exposed to diets high in sugar and ultra-processed foods. The SNP marks a pivotal shift, but its impact will depend on effective and fair implementation.

ROLLOUT HAS BEGUN BUT EQUITY IS ESSENTIAL

The SNP is set to be implemented on a phased basis over five years across all early childhood, primary, secondary, and special education schools – both public and private. The policy includes measures to limit the sale and promotion of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods within schools, strengthen school feeding programmes, and foster partnerships among schools, farmers, vendors, and communities to build a culture of wellness.

While these initiatives are commendable, vigilance is necessary to ensure that the phased implementation does not worsen existing inequalities. Rural and under-resourced schools must receive the same level of support, training, and access to healthy foods as those in urban centres. Implementation without equity will deepen existing disparities and leave vulnerable children behind.

GROWING HEALTH CRISIS

Jamaican children are facing a mounting health crisis. According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, between 25 and 33 per cent of the school-age population arrives at school hungry or without having eaten anything on a given school day. Short-term hunger coexists with poor eating habits, such as the overconsumption of high-sugar drinks and snacks of low nutrient density. Overweight and obesity are twice as common as underweight in the school-age population, and increase rapidly with age during the school years. Iron deficiency anaemia is also a serious nutritional problem, especially among adolescents and young females.

If we do not act now, we are sentencing future generations to a lifetime of preventable illness and straining an already burdened health system.

WE MUST MEET GLOBAL STANDARDS

While the SNP aligns Jamaica with its global commitments under the CRC, additional measures are necessary to fully protect children’s health. These include comprehensive food labelling laws and regulations on food advertising near schools. UNICEF’s ‘Fix My Food’ campaign continues to highlight how ultra-processed foods are aggressively marketed to children. Nutrition education and advertising reform must go with the SNP to shift behaviours in the long term.

REAL BARRIERS, REAL CONSEQUENCES

In many schools, healthy eating is not yet a real possibility. Unregulated vendors and canteen operators continue to sell what is in demand – sugary drinks, snacks, and fried foods – because they are cheaper and more accessible than fruits, vegetables, or balanced meals.

Compounding this is food insecurity. Many children from low-income households go without proper meals, and short-term feeding programmes alone cannot fix this. The SNP includes plans to strengthen and expand the National School Learning and Intervention Plan (NSLIP) and other school-based meal initiatives by improving meal quality and nutritional content, expanding breakfast offerings to reduce morning hunger, and investing in kitchen infrastructure in schools where needed.

SUSTAINED POLITICAL WILL IS NOW THE TEST

With the SNP now tabled and set for phased implementation, the real test lies in sustaining political will and investment. Will our leaders provide long-term resources and oversight, or will implementation wane after media attention fades?

Nutrition is not a fringe issue. It is fundamental to education, health, and national development. If we do not act boldly and inclusively, we risk widening inequalities rather than closing them.

LET US DO RIGHT BY OUR CHILDREN

On behalf of Fi We Children Foundation, and other civil society groups, I urge the Government of Jamaica to embed transparency and evaluation in every phase of the SNP rollout. We also call for the formation of a multisector accountability committee, including youth representation, to monitor the policy’s implementation and equity impact.

Let us ensure this policy becomes more than a document. It must be a catalyst for real, sustained change.

Finalising the National School Nutrition Policy is a long-overdue but commendable milestone. Now, the real work begins. We must commit to consistent implementation, equity-driven action, and measurable impact. Together, let us ensure that every Jamaican child has access to nutritious meals, a foundation for good health, and the opportunity to thrive.

Africka Stephens is executive founder of Fi We Children Foundation, a youth-led NGO promoting social justice for Jamaican children & youth. Send feedback to astephens@fiwechildren.org