DP World Foundation backs school meals for Ecuador children

DP World Foundation has announced a new programme to support school meals for 2,500 children in Ecuador, marking its first initiative in the Americas and extending the philanthropic arm of the global ports and logistics group into Latin America’s education and nutrition landscape. The initiative is designed to provide daily, nutritious meals to pupils in underserved communities, addressing food insecurity that has intensified pressures on families and schools across parts of the country.

The foundation said the programme would focus on home-grown school meals, sourcing ingredients locally to support small farmers while improving dietary outcomes for children. The model is intended to strengthen local food systems by linking schools directly with nearby agricultural producers, creating a stable demand for crops and promoting fresh, culturally appropriate food in classrooms. Education officials and development specialists have long argued that such approaches can boost attendance, concentration and learning outcomes, particularly in lower-income regions.

Ecuador has faced a combination of economic strain, security challenges and social inequality that has complicated access to consistent nutrition for many households. According to national data and multilateral assessments, pockets of child malnutrition remain a concern, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. School feeding programmes are widely viewed as a practical intervention because they reach children directly and can serve as an incentive for families to keep pupils enrolled.

DP World Foundation said the Ecuador initiative aligns with its broader mission to support education, food security and sustainable development in communities connected to global trade routes. The foundation has previously backed school meal programmes in parts of Africa and Asia, often working with local partners and authorities to tailor projects to regional needs. By entering the Americas, the organisation is signalling a geographic expansion that mirrors the growing trade and logistics links between Latin America and the Middle East.

The Ecuador programme is expected to work closely with local schools, municipal authorities and community groups to identify beneficiaries and manage procurement. Emphasis will be placed on nutritional balance, with meals designed to meet dietary standards for growing children. Officials familiar with the plan said training for school staff and suppliers would be included to ensure food safety and consistency.

Global development experts note that home-grown school feeding has gained traction over the past decade as governments and donors seek to combine social protection with agricultural development. Studies have shown that when schools buy from local farmers, income stability in surrounding communities improves, creating a multiplier effect beyond the classroom. For Ecuador, where smallholder agriculture remains a significant source of livelihoods, such linkages are seen as particularly valuable.

DP World Foundation’s move also reflects a wider trend among corporate-linked philanthropies to focus on measurable social outcomes tied to core business geographies. DP World operates ports and logistics hubs across Latin America, including in Ecuador, and executives have previously argued that social investment strengthens long-term relationships with host communities. By concentrating on children’s nutrition and education, the foundation is addressing areas that carry both humanitarian and economic significance.

Education advocates in Ecuador have welcomed additional support for school meals, noting that budgetary pressures can limit the reach and quality of existing programmes. While the government maintains national feeding schemes, coverage and consistency can vary by region. Supplementary initiatives from non-state actors are often used to fill gaps, particularly in marginalised areas.

The announcement comes amid broader discussions in Latin America about food security, climate resilience and the role of local agriculture. Rising input costs and climate variability have affected farmers’ yields, while urbanisation has altered consumption patterns. Programmes that stabilise demand for local produce are increasingly seen as tools to cushion these shifts.