School Meal Grants

Both economic crises and the COVID-19 pandemic have had a huge impact on many families’ financial situation, increasing the demand for food aid in Spain, including a significant rise in applications for school meal grants.  

Habits among the most vulnerable families have also changed, prioritizing prices and accessibility of food over its nutritional value. According to the PASOS Study by the Gasol Foundation, 33.4% of children and teenagers are overweight or obese, which is even more pronounced among males, younger children, and those at a socio-economic disadvantage.  

Aware of this situation, in 2012, Probitas started the School Meal Grants Program to reduce the risk of childhood malnutrition through integral support in children’s diets, educating them on healthy habits and reducing school absenteeism 

We improve nutrition for vulnerable children aged 3 to 12, offering them one healthy meal per day in school canteens across Spain. Each school year, over 1,500 children benefit from school meal grants.  

This program seeks to work alongside the actions that public institutions have already put in place, based on local input and flexibility.  

 

‘Estiu per a tots!’

Another situation, that has gotten progressively worse due to financial crises, is a lack of guaranteed nutrition for children and teenagers over school summer break. Even though the school meals service ensures that the most vulnerable children get at least one meal per day throughout the school year, this support dissipates over the summer break.  

During July and August, we ensure that they get nutritional support and help them access leisure, sports, cultural, and educational activities over the summer months, expanding the resources available to underprivileged areas. Over 8,000 children took part in the program this year.

‘A berenar!’

This is an economic grant for purchasing fresh and local food to increase the nutritional value of the afternoon snacks given at social-educational afternoon projects.  

We improve nutrition for over 4,400 children each school year, providing resources and educational activities on healthy habits for centers that run after-school activities.