School Food Programs in Timor-Leste: Challenges and Successes

School feeding programs in Timor-Leste play a vital role in supporting children’s health and education, particularly in rural and remote areas. Two key initiatives leading these efforts are the Merenda Eskolár and HATUTAN programs, each with distinct goals and scopes but united in their mission to improve student nutrition and learning outcomes.

The Merenda Eskolár program is a national initiative implemented across many municipalities, including Bobonaru. It focuses on providing daily meals to students in public and Catholic basic and pre-school education. In 2025, the program reached over 29,000 students in Bobonaru alone, covering 179 public schools and 24 Catholic schools. The program’s budget for Bobonaru was approximately $1.76 million, supporting meals served over 141 school days for basic education and 174 days for pre-school. The meals typically include staple foods such as fish, rice, and vegetables, aiming to ensure children receive adequate nutrition to support their growth and concentration in class.

However, challenges remain in maintaining food quality and safety. For example, in June 2025, several students at a school in Bobonaru experienced health issues after consuming meals containing canned tuna. This incident prompted local education and health authorities to investigate the food supply chain and reinforce stricter controls on food freshness and preparation. School directors and program management teams were urged to monitor suppliers closely to prevent similar occurrences and protect student health.

Complementing Merenda Eskolár, the HATUTAN program—funded by the United States Government and implemented in municipalities such as Ainaro, Ermera, and Oe-Cusse Ambeno—focuses on linking nutrition with education through school meals, community engagement, and learning support. By mid-2025, HATUTAN had distributed food supplies to 363 schools, benefiting over 70,000 students. The program emphasizes early and consistent food delivery to ensure meals are available from the first day of school, aligning with government regulations.

Together, these programs represent Timor-Leste’s commitment to improving child nutrition as a foundation for better educational outcomes. While implementation challenges exist, ongoing collaboration between government agencies, communities, and international partners continues to strengthen the reach and impact of school feeding initiatives across the country.