Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at last night’s FNM drive-in rally at the Carnival grounds. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
IN A bid to eliminate childhood hunger, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last night announced his administration would implement a universal school meals programme in the public school system if re-elected.
The plan would provide free breakfast, lunch and snacks for all students in the government school system.
Billed as a huge announcement ahead of last night’s Free National Movement drive-in rally, the programme will be offered to families regardless of income.
Dr Minnis described it not only as a means of providing nutritious meals for children in a nation where obesity is a challenge, but as a tool to boost savings in families where there is more than one child.
Those in primary school and high school will be eligible for the initiative.
The FNM would roll out the programme over a five-year period to ensure it is well funded and properly designed for sustainability, Dr Minnis said.
Vegan options will be available along with the inclusion of locally grown and produced food products.
“Many children go to school each day hungry,” he told FNM supporters at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. “Their parents do not have the money to provide them with enough to eat. I came from the inner city, from the ghetto. I know.
“There are school lunch programmes to help those most in need. However, so much more is necessary for so many more children. The FNM has decided to be even bolder.
“If and when re-elected we will launch the universal school meals programme and this programme will provide nutritionally balanced free breakfast, lunch and snack to all school children in government operated education systems regardless of family income.
“This programme will be available to every child in government operated school systems throughout the country. We are making it universal so there is no stigma attached to any child getting food.”
Dr Minnis said the programme will be optional so parents who would want to continue to prepare their child’s lunch and snacks may do so.
“There will also be a vegan option and the programme will be careful in dealing with food allergies. We will significantly draw on Bahamian food products.
“We will significantly use Bahamian fish, poultry and meats. We will significantly use Bahamian grown fruits and vegetables and this programme will help grow our agricultural and fisheries sectors while also providing nutrition to all children in government operated school systems free of charge.
“To help us create this initiative we will work with Bahamian food programmes, chefs, nutritionists and medical experts.
“Obesity is a major problem in our society. We need to stop the amount of sugary drinks and fatty foods our children are drinking and eating. We want to help our children develop better eating habits, drawing on more organic and locally grown foods here in The Bahamas and this new programme is an investment in our children.
“It is an investment in our future. This is an investment in their future and our future.”
Dr Minnis said the initiative was about lessening the burden on hardworking families while helping children focus on learning and not on where their next meal will come from.
“Hungry and insufficient nutrition affects a child’s ability to concentrate and ability to learn. Better health and nutrition allow children to learn and perform better and this programme will relieve parents of having to budget for lunch.
“This represents a significant savings for homes with more than one child. This will be a significant contribution to eliminating childhood hunger and childhood obesity.
“The programme will benefit the local economy.”
Before he left the stage, Dr Minnis continued his criticisms of the Progressive Liberal Party.
He said the choice was clear regarding who Bahamians ought to choose when they head to the polls on September 16.
Dr Minnis said Bahamians should re-elect the FNM because the PLP and its leader Philip “Brave” Davis want power to take care of party supporters.
Comments
truetruebahamian 3 years, 2 months ago
Both 'leaders' are hopelessly useless.
KapunkleUp 3 years, 2 months ago
So true.
sunseeker 3 years, 2 months ago
could not have said it better truetruebahamian!! 100%
Topdude 3 years, 2 months ago
If ever there was a significant public policy action, this is one. Researchers have long documented that a hungry child cannot learn. He/she is unable to concentrate on what is taught as a result of hunger.
With this new initiative we can expect that student performance will improve. We can also expect that nation’s human capital will be enhanced.
The FNM party is to be commended for introducing this nation building effort. Congratulations. God bless our Prime Minister.
joeblow 3 years, 2 months ago
... the governments job is not to provide for people that which they would be able to provide for themselves if they were (relatively) educated and able to work. The problem is that they want to increase the populations dependency on the government instead of educating the population and creating opportunities for those who want to work to do so!. It is the same kind of thinking that has democratic run states like California deep in debt, high crime and low in personal responsibility!
Topdude 3 years, 2 months ago
Additionally, after this nation building initiative is firmly in place, we can expect a significant decline in truancy, delinquency and by extension crime. The sociology of crime indicates that most prisoners tend to be school dropouts. And most school dropouts tend to come from families unable to provide them with their basic need for nutritious meals during their school days.
This FNM initiative will go down in the history of our country as a public policy program that helped to transform our nation. It will increase our competitiveness and reduce our crime. Let us give credit where credit is due.
The PLP are reactive as usual as they want to build a new prison. The FNM wants to reduce the cause of criminal behavior. PLEASE COMPARE.
WETHEPEOPLE 3 years, 2 months ago
You must be dillusional
ohdrap4 3 years, 2 months ago
Examples leave trails:
P G Christie did promise free electricity.
But, if it does come to pass, expect the menu will be similar to the healthy meals they serve at the prison.
Proguing 3 years, 2 months ago
Yes, and at the cost of a meal at Bahamar
Topdude 3 years, 2 months ago
Where ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise. Learn to spell.
DonAnthony 3 years, 2 months ago
Great idea, but how will we pay for it, more borrowing or increasing vat?
KapunkleUp 3 years, 2 months ago
Exactly what I was thinking too.
Sickened 3 years, 2 months ago
Finally a good initiative. We have to look after our children as they will be looking after us in short order.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
They promised transparency, fixed dates for elections, 2 term max for prime ministers. That was easier. They did none of it. As a wise woman once said "if they couldnt gee you food you believe they guh gee you dirt?"
M0J0 3 years, 2 months ago
4yrs nothing want another 5 of nothing
ConchFretter 3 years, 2 months ago
Agreed. Childhood hunger and childhood obesity are not new concerns for the country. They want 5 more years to start something they dun had 4 years to start??
Why wait until (if) reelected? You the government NOW!! Start the programme next week,,,
Truism 3 years, 2 months ago
Actually the programme blueprint has been sitting in MOE for at least a decade plus. The problem is figuring out how their cronies will benefit.
bahamianson 3 years, 2 months ago
free car, free house, free food, free meds, free college, free wedding reception, free boat, free vacations. Vote for me , please. when I get in is another story. No money in the cookie jar, didn't know they left the jar empty, my bad, sorry.
OMG 3 years, 2 months ago
But what you say is true.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
I want free boat. A twin engine. New. The free electricity was nice
Topdude 3 years, 2 months ago
It is not what you want it is what you need. You need common sense and objectivity.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
No it hot. I need boat and AC
OMG 3 years, 2 months ago
Having taught in the school system for over 40 years the ministry is incompetent and can't even get regular school supplies for departments such as woodwork, auto, cookery and science to name just four. I and many others gave up the annual farce of completing a requisition because very rarely did anything arrive. If this food idea had any hope of taking off ,just how will it be delivered. The lunch vendors will not be happy and given all governments tardy payment of bills history there will be stoppages far and wide, Funny how just on the eve of the election this idea springs up. All parties will come up with ideas just to get your vote and then quietly forget them. Has Minnis actually done the maths and costed this out-I very much doubt it.
DDK 3 years, 2 months ago
Dat man really want to keep he job🤣
Emilio26 3 years, 2 months ago
Dr. Minnis is very scared that he might lose the upcoming alection.😆😆😆
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
The Guardian's, The Revolution with Juan McCartney talkie radio show host is — policing callers,.— not to be calling out the 39 RedParty's candidates for campaigning on re-promising of the RedParty's, exact 2017 outright lies. — Just the deflecting tone in a talkie show host — be pleasing to the RedParty. — But guess it doesn't hurt if one of the show's — paid sponsors — is the RedParty. — Yes?
birdiestrachan 3 years, 2 months ago
doc is a desperate man. so he promises the moon. TRUTH be told there is no FREE LUNCH someone has to pay, so he will increase the taxes on the poor to pay for it.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 2 months ago
The first things doc did was take care of his supporters. The post office. the cruise port. no more bags to put groceries in to increase the rich merchant's profit.
If he wants the poor to have more than take VAT off groceries
Those FNM fellows when the cabinet meets get together to see how they can hurt the poor and make the rich richer.
TalRussell 3 years, 2 months ago
@ComradeBirdie, only since you asks. — Provides for a rare close-up look at what is undoubtedly the best doctor of political massaging artistry, — hail from the University of the West Indies and MRCOG from London class of 1985.
**The genuine and much-likable Papa Hubert, never could afford travel ventured beyond colonial colony's group out islands — much the less got to attend even a single school higher taughtin. — Yet, thanks to Comrade Randol Fawkes, early support, the — genuinely likable Papa, — still rose highest peek power. — Yes?
Chucky 3 years, 2 months ago
Roc Witt doc wants to give the kiddies free lunch, but gov ain’t got no money in the best of times!
If this happens taxes will go up at least double what this costs just to cover it. Then the feed the kids some crap that one of their cronies will supply.
Any politician who promises u free stuff to get the vote should be incarcerated; this is nothing short of bribery!
Proguing 3 years, 2 months ago
At least we have not reached the level of the US where Biden said vote for me and I will send you a "stimulus" cheque...
stillwaters 3 years, 2 months ago
Promises are flying through the air like birds.....so many empty promises....and 60% of the population are cheering and believing the promises of both these parties....ah well
whogothere 3 years, 2 months ago
Focus on getting kids back into school before making bold promises you can’t fathom how to execute...
Jetflt 3 years, 2 months ago
The start of socialism and dependency on the government! That’s how one party stays in power forever. Ala sleepy, inept, incompetent, incoherent, dismal failure, Joe Biden. How much you want to bet the Chinese are behind this??? “Free lunch”……my a—! There’s no such thing. Somebody is paying for it.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 2 months ago
There are children in this country who went to bed with a cup of bush tea last light. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a program that offers to feed hungry people. If you were hungry and your parents didnt have the money to feed you would want someone to help. The issue here is not the proposal, its that they are using the desperation of these hungry people to buy votes, no intention of delivering, no plan for how it would actually work.
DWW 3 years, 2 months ago
it should have been done years ago. give the kids a meal
ashley14 3 years, 2 months ago
We have been doing this for a while, after children come into school on Monday telling their teachers they didn’t have any food in the house over the weekend. The program certainly helps.
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