The Eastern Regional School Feeding Programme caterers and head cooks have received practical training to enhance food quality, hygiene and nutrition at Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The programme’s officials are collaborating with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Food and Agriculture to focus on modern, nutritious cooking techniques, safe food handling and the use of locally produced, cost-effective ingredients to improve the meals served to pupils.
The caterers and head cooks are being trained on how to use the available local foodstuffs to prepare varieties of nutritionally balanced diet for the pupils to promote their health growth and academic performance.
According to the School Feeding Programme Coordinator Mrs, Naana Ampem said, the caterers would receive new knowledge on how to use vegetable, soy powder, texturized soy protein and other crops produced locally by the local farmers to prepare new dishes.
Practical, hands-on skills in menu planning proper food storage, and avoiding serving food on the bare floor.
She emphasised on utilizing locally produced and seasonal food items to enhance nutritional value.
Naana Ampem emphasised that the School Feeding Programme Management have zoned the region into four groups to provide the training to the caterers, head cooks, nutrition officers by the support of the government.
She said, “the training programme was crucial to ensure the caterers are able to plan their own district menus using the meal planner and to learn the new ways of cooking up to the required standard.”
They encouraged all the trainees to maintain good hygiene practices in and around their cooking spaces to prevent diseases. “You should also make sure you wash your hands properly before towards food or cooking any meal,” she said.
The zones are: New Juaben South, New Juaben North, Okere, Asuogyaman, Lower Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, Upper Manya Krobo, Akuapem North, Akuapem South, Abuakwa North, Fanteakwa South and Fanteakwa North.
