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Aragatsotn is the sixth province where Â鶹ÊÓƵ has handed over its school feeding programme to the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The government has already been managing and implementing school feeding in five other provinces; Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, Vayots Dzor and Ararat.

The Government of Armenia considers school feeding essential elements of its investment in the future of young people and of its drive for zero hunger by 2030. In its focus on education as well as on improved health and nutrition, it is supported by Â鶹ÊÓƵ and other partners, particularly the Russian Federation.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyuny attended the handover ceremony along with Â鶹ÊÓƵ Representative and Country Director Jelena Milosevic and representatives from the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Armenia, the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute of the Russian Federation and the Sustainable School Food Foundation.

¡°Thanks to the long-standing partnership with the Government of Armenia and the constant support from the Russian Federation, the school feeding programme in Armenia sets a perfect example of what can happen when we all work together towards one common goal: helping a new generation realise its full potential and push its country¡¯s future forward,¡± said Milosevic.

In 2010, the Government of Armenia, Â鶹ÊÓƵ and their strategic partners collaborated to improve nutrition, education and social protection and build a nationally-owned, sustainable national school feeding programme. The programme now provides 100,000 children with daily nutritious meals across the country.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ also supports schools in establishing vegetable gardens and orchards to provide children with fresh fruit and vegetables for a more balanced diet. Moreover, the school feeding programme helps boost the economy through the purchase of fresh produce from local producers and small farmers.

In the next five years, Â鶹ÊÓƵ will use school feeding programme to help improve the food security and nutrition in Armenian by providing schools with greenhouses, solar panels and bakeries. Â鶹ÊÓƵ also plans to promote nutrition awareness through special workshops.

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The United Nations Â鶹ÊÓƵ - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. Â鶹ÊÓƵ works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.

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