Each dollar invested in Armenia’s national school feeding programme can generate a USD 7.1 benefit over the lifetime of a beneficiary.

This statement is supported by the analysis conducted jointly by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and MasterCard.  

According to the experts, the result of a return of USD 7.1 for each dollar invested in school feeding in Armenia is significantly higher than the global average (USD 5.5).

“Academic evidence shows that children receiving a nutritious meal at school achieve better test results and have a higher ability to concentrate, which leads to a more successful and productive professional life,” the analysts noted.

According to them, children receiving school meals are likely to live healthier and longer.

Nina Villems, MasterCard Country Manager for Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, observed that the program is a valuable contribution to development of the country.

The authors of the analysis recommended to introduce target school feeding in order to allow more children to be fed.

The experts also expressed their hope that the program will boost local industry, thereby increasing the impact on the local GDP.

It is worth noticing that by the school feeding programme, schoolchildren in lower grades receive 200 ml of milk, cacao, juice or yogurt daily, as well as 50 g of cookies or pastry.