The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), successfully implemented the "Project for Supporting School Lunch Production in General Education Schools of Mongolia" between 2021 and 2025 across the capital city and Dundgovi and Ovorkhangai provinces.
Key results of the initial project phase include:
- Introduction of the "color system" in school menu planning to ensure balanced nutrition.
- Supported local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives in food supply; implemented a "unified menu" at the provincial level and launched regional e-procurement through online shops.
- Conducted student nutritional assessments and launched the "One Cup of Milk Every Day" program.
- Established "Children's Food Councils" to bolster inter-organizational cooperation at the local level.
- Upgraded school kitchen environments to meet standard requirements and enhanced human resource capabilities.
Following the successful outcomes of the first phase, a proposal for a subsequent project phase has been officially approved. A meeting was held today with JICA’s Detailed Planning Survey Team to discuss the commencement of this next stage.
The upcoming project phase will focus on creating a "Model Kitchen" in Darkhan-Uul province. This initiative aims to optimize the organization and planning of inter-school catering services, human resource management, food supply chains, and distribution systems, while ensuring strong local participation and cooperation.
The survey team will be working from April 13 to May 1, 2026, to define the basic conditions, content, and scope of this technical cooperation project. During this period, they will exchange views with partner organizations and finalize the project's Design Matrix and Plan of Operation.
