Eugene Young has led the handover of U.S.-provided food commodities to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education under the USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme.

The handover ceremony, organised by Catholic Relief Services and partners, was attended by Katelyn Hickey-Schaub, USDA International Program Specialist, Erik Syngle, Regional Agricultural Attaché, and Dr.

Habibatou Drammeh, alongside stakeholders in the school feeding sector.

According to officials, the donated commodities included 624 metric tons of fortified rice, 86 metric tons of lentils, and 117 metric tons of fortified vegetable oil.

The food products, purchased from American farmers, are intended to support school feeding programmes for primary school children across The Gambia.

Officials said the initiative also includes $2 million in local procurement aimed at supporting Gambian farmers and promoting long-term economic development.

Programme figures indicate that more than 17.7 million meals have so far been delivered to over 63,000 schoolchildren, contributing to improved nutrition and better learning outcomes.

Organisers described the programme as a collaborative effort focused on food security, education support and sustainable development benefiting both the United States and The Gambia.

By Adama Makasuba