Saturday, June 14 2008

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PRIVATE JOKE: PNM backbenchers Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley and St Ann's East MP Anthony Roberts share a joke in the Parliament yesterday duri...

SCHOOL caterers contracted under the Education Ministry’s School Feeding Programme have been seeing reduced profits due to rising food prices.

And, this is despite a financial increase of one dollar given by the ministry.

The programme which is managed by the National Schools’ Dietary Services Limited provides 44,190 breakfasts and 97,831 lunches to students in 822 pre-schools, primary, secondary and special schools.

However, several caterers have complained that the increase given by the ministry has made no impact in cushioning the effects of the high food prices.

One caterer told Newsday that they were being paid $7 per meal. This price includes the one dollar increase.

“This is the first increase that we have received in three years. However, we still have to bear the high food costs as we cannot change or substitute the basic ingredients. We have to satisfy the nutritional needs of the children and as a result cannot compromise the contents of the menu,” said a caterer.

Slight adjustments have however been made to the menus without compromising the nutritional requirements for the students, the caterers said.

Another caterer said cheaper alternatives were used to help ease the financial burden of the high food prices.

“If the price of carrot goes up for example, we would cut back on the quantity and use another vegetable with the same nutritional value that may be cheaper,” said the caterer.

Questioned on the impact of the high prices of rice and flour, the caterer said that an adjustment was made so that instead of serving rice three or four times per week, a pasta menu would sometimes be served.

“The most important thing is that this is done in keeping the nutritional value and requirements in consideration,” said the caterer.

Another caterer however lamented that the use of pasta has been restricted since the incident at the Cap-de-Ville Government Primary School where 103 students fell sick after worms were reportedly found in the pasta.

She said that Government had promoted the use of cassava and sweet potato as alternatives but said that this would not be desirous foods for the children.

“Children are not going to eat sweet potato chips and cassava flour. We cannot make any changes to the menu since we must satisfy the nutritional demands of the children. If we need to put 60 pounds of carrots then we must fulfil that,” said the caterer.

She added that she bought foodstuff in bulk to get cheaper prices. “I paid $700 for a bag of channa and almost $900 for rice. I have to cope with the high prices and the small profit that is made. How can one dollar increase help in any way. We have to go the extra length and try and do everything to make a cent and penny,” said the caterer.

Attempts to get in contact with the director of the National Schools Dietary Services Ltd Ingrid Herreira were futile as she was said to be in meetings.