MALDUCS

Models for Sustainable Local Procurement for School Cafeterias in Benin (MALDUCS)

In Benin, school canteens not only play a key role in food security and nutrition for children, they also serve as a lever to support the local economy. Unlike traditional school feeding programs, the MALDUCS project aims to innovate school canteen supply models by introducing local agroecological products and adopting sustainable, economically viable, and inclusive practices. In doing so, the project not only provides children with nutritious meals sourced locally, but also strengthens the economic capacities of smallholder farmers.

Our action

The MALDUCS project aims to promote healthier and more sustainable food in school canteens, while boosting the income and resilience of farming communities. This goal will be achieved through four key steps, with a cross-cutting focus on gender and social inclusion:

• An in-depth analysis of existing school cafeteria supply chains, in order to propose alternatives based on local production.
• Experiments aimed at testing innovative local supply systems
• A participatory prospective analysis, incorporating the technical and policy innovations generated
• Scaling up local procurement systems by sharing innovations and knowledge with school canteens and stakeholders at the national, regional, and international levels.