World Food Programme (WFP) says plans are in the pipeline to extend its school feeding programme to the northern region where about 200 schools will benefit.

The remarks were made by WFP’s Programme Officer for School Feeding Unit, Madalo Thombozi, on the sidelines of a cooking competition for committees in Zomba on Wednesday.

Thombozi stressed that the programme continues to ensure that leaners are provided with nutritious meals at school which increase their agility and participation in class apart from the improved attendance.

“We always encourage the school committees to prepare the meals with at least four food groups every day. This way we are ensured that by the end of the week, learners are supplied will all food groups which are essential for their health and mental growth.

“Not only leaners benefit from this programme but also farmer organizations from surrounding communities which have a ready market and make a living by selling their produce to the schools since all the food items used are locally found,” Thombozi said.

According to Thombozi, the cooking competition, which attracted four primary schools from Zomba, will help the schools in preparing diversified foods and increase nutrition awareness among participants and parents who will use the shared skills in their homes as well.

WFP is implementing The Tsogolo la Thanzi project with funding from European Union (EU).