Guatemala City, by Brenda Larios – During the current administration, the Government of Guatemala, through the Ministry of Social Development -Mides- has served 21 million 493 thousand 659 meals in social diners.
According to Mides records, from 2020 to today, these food rations have been delivered to low-income families, women, children, and senior citizens in 80 community diners.
The Social Diners Program is focused on the population in conditions of vulnerability or crisis in situations of food and nutritional insecurity in the different municipalities of the country.
First Semester
From January to June of this year, the Mides served 5 million 111 thousand 920 meals, according to the authorities.
The diners serve 250 breakfast meals from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 350 lunches from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The program prioritizes senior citizens, mothers, and children in vulnerable situations.
This program is part of the Great National Crusade for Nutrition and the Government’s General Policy 2020-2024.
Social Diners
Hellen Rodríguez, from the Social Prevention Directorate of Mides, in charge of the program, explained that two modalities of service are:
- Mobile
- Community
Both had a positive impact due to how they functioned in favor of the less fortunate.
Mobile Diners are temporarily set up in equipped vehicles in areas with hygienic emergency conditions to consume food at home.
The initiative of community diners consists of creating spaces in which food is provided free to people living in poverty or extreme poverty. These places intend to receive supplies from local providers.
The local authorities are in charge of organizing and managing the community diners.
This project also generates several positive factors, such as economic reactivation. Local will become suppliers of the State.
Quality Food
The strategy allows Guatemalans access to food made with quality products, guaranteeing adequate and well-balanced nutrition.
The delivered menus prioritize a nutritious portion for children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, older adults, and people with disabilities. These rations are supervised by nutritionists responsible for creating a good balance of nutrients for each region.
