17 primary schools applied to participate in the program of free distribution of fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products, the aim of which is to improve the eating habits of school-aged children.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MPNI) pointed out that they launched this program in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and that it will be implemented in elementary schools "Mileva Lajović-Lalatović", Nikšić, "Radomir Mitrović" Berane, " Vuk Karadžić" Berane, "Vuko Jovović" Danilovgrad, "Štampar Makarije" Podgorica, "Marko Miljanov", "Ratko Žarić" Nikšić, "Risto Ratković" Bijelo Polje, "Anto Đedović" Bar, "Maršal Tito" Ulcinj, "Ristan Pavlović ” Pljevlja, “Salko Aljković” Pljevlja, “Srbija” Bar, “Boško Strugar” Ulcinj, “Risto Manojlović” Kolašin, “Maksim Gorki” Podgorica and “Vukašin Radunović” Berane.
"MPNI believes that exactly this and similar initiatives contribute to the fact that our youngest get a quality snack while they are at school", they emphasized.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management told "Vijesta" that the decision to launch the program, which should be implemented by the end of this and during the next school year for students from the first to the fifth grade, was based on the agricultural budget for 2024. . They specified that the measure in question is the Program for the free distribution of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products in schools (school schemes) and the Program for improving the availability of food (fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products).
"The goal of the Program is to improve the eating habits of school-age children, and it includes the free distribution of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products from the list of acceptable products listed in the Program for Improving Availability for Schools. Products from the list of acceptable products are allocated in a quantity that is sufficient to distribute to the total number of students in schools and classes participating in the implementation of the Program, whereby the amount of meals per student is from 100 to 150 grams of fruit or vegetables, from 0,15, 0,25 l to XNUMX l of milk or milk product", explained the ministry in charge Vladimir Jokovic.
They said that the plan is to deliver groceries within the Program at least once a week, on the days of classes in accordance with the school calendar.
"The delivery of fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products can be carried out by registered agricultural producers, agricultural producers associated in some form of organization (associations, cooperatives, producer organizations) and distributors of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products from Montenegro, in accordance with to the conditions defined by the public invitation, which was published on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the contract concluded between this Ministry and suppliers who meet the conditions for the delivery of products determined by the public invitation", explained the ministry.
The Department of Agriculture claims that financial resources will be allocated for the purchase of fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, accompanying educational measures, promotions that are directly aimed at familiarizing the general public with the program, and obligations to monitor and evaluate the program.
"Within the Program, one or more accompanying educational measures will be implemented - product tasting classes, sowing, planting and maintenance of school gardens, visits to agricultural farms and similar activities aimed at connecting children with agriculture and educating children about agriculture, healthy eating habits, local food chains , sustainable production and prevent food waste. This decision will be implemented until December 31 of this year," the answer reads.
The ministry also pointed out that they have issued a public call for the selection of suppliers for the distribution of fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products to elementary school students from the first to fifth grades in 17 schools in the municipalities of Danilovgrad, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Kolašin, Bar, Ulcinj. , Podgorica, Nikšić and Pljevlja.
"The right to participate under this public call is for suppliers (agricultural producers, producers associated in some form of organization (associations, cooperatives, producer organizations) and distributors of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products from Montenegro registered in the relevant registers) - legal and physical persons (entrepreneurs) who are registered for the production and/or delivery of fruit and vegetables and/or milk and milk products, who submit a completed supplier's request for participation in the free distribution program within the prescribed period...", the answer states.
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