Dominica is strengthening national efforts to create healthier food environments in schools to tackle the rising rates of childhood overweight and obesity.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and regional partners like the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is implementing new nutrition standards aimed at improving school meals.
From November 20 to 24, 2025, Dominica received tailored guidance and training to adopt the Technical Recommendations for Nutrition Standards for Caribbean Schools, developed by CARPHA and PAHO.
Nutritionist with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, Kerissa Shillingford said the initiative aims to support the development and strengthening of national nutrition standards for all foods provided and sold in schools and early childhood services.
Nutritionist with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, Kerissa Shillingford.
The program encourages the development and enforcement of national nutrition standards for all school-provided foods and aligns with global targets to reduce malnutrition and obesity rates by 30% by 2030.
It includes capacity building on meal planning, food safety, and clarifying the roles of school food providers, fostering multi-sector collaboration.
The government underscores its commitment to making schools supportive environments for healthy growth and learning, aiming to protect future generations from preventable diseases and promote a healthier, more resilient society.
This effort is part of a broader Caribbean regional response to childhood obesity, which now affects one in three children.
It reflects Dominica’s proactive approach in working with international health organizations to improve child nutrition and combat non-communicable diseases through sustainable food policies in schools.
