Child malnutrition is a significant concern in Morocco, where both undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies affect child development and health. According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, Morocco scored 9.4, indicating a “low hunger level,” yet 6.9% of the population is currently malnourished. The stunting rate among children under five is 14.2%, while wasting affects 2.3%, signalling chronic and acute undernutrition, respectively.
A scalable solution for the entire country
Despite progress in improving overall food security, many Moroccan children still suffer from inadequate diets, leading to a range of micronutrient deficiencies. Common deficiencies include iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc, all of which play crucial roles in growth, development, and immune function. Several factors contribute to these deficiencies, including limited access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods (particularly in rural areas) as well as poverty and a lack of nutrition education.
November 2024 marked the official launch of a school milk programme led and funded by Tetra Pak customer Moroccan agricultural dairy cooperative COPAG in the Maghreb region. By bringing nutritious milk to the tables of thousands of children at 41 schools, this programme is more than just a project – it is a tangible promise to invest in health, education, and brighter futures for local communities.
The programme builds on Morocco’s experience with school milk programmes in other regions, such as one launched in 2009. While the earlier programme served as a precursor, the current one takes this commitment to the next level, distributing milk in Tetra Brik® Aseptic carton packages to roughly 4,000 children.
The school milk programme is a cornerstone in addressing nutritional gaps by helping to ensure that children have the energy and focus to thrive in school. During this pilot phase, it provides daily servings of milk, creating a replicable and scalable solution for Morocco.
Targeting areas affected by the earthquake
This launch holds particular significance as it focuses on schools in regions affected by the devastating earthquake of 2023. By prioritising these vulnerable areas, the programme offers more than nourishment – it delivers hope and tangible support to communities rebuilding their lives. It’s a powerful step forward in supporting child development, improving academic performance, and enabling a brighter future for those most in need.
The pilot initiative began in 41 schools across rural areas hardest hit by the earthquake, where the need for both nutritional and structural assistance is most pressing.
LOOKING AHEAD
Commitment and teamwork for meaningful change
The success of the programme highlights the power of teamwork, innovation, and dedication, combining global insights with local solutions. Besides funding the initiative, Tetra Pak customer COPAG are ensuring the seamless production of the milk and its delivery to all participating schools. COPAG are supported with technical assistance and expertise by Tetra Pak. Drawing on best practices from a similar programme in Kenya, the team tailored advanced tracking and distribution systems to meet Morocco’s specific needs.
COPAG and Tetra Pak are working with government stakeholders with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Morocco to drive the programme’s scale-up at the national level.
Salim Abdessemed, Tetra Pak’s Marketing Manager Maghreb, captured the programme’s essence and vision for the future:
“This is just the beginning of an incredible journey. As we move forward with the pilot phase, our aim is to expand this programme, reaching more schools and touching the lives of even more children across Morocco. Each package of milk served represents not just improved health and focus for students but also our commitment to supporting our valued customer, COPAG, in delivering meaningful change to local communities. Let’s continue building this momentum and creating an enduring impact”
