Peru is on the path to economic recovery with a projected 3.1% growth this year, according to the Central Reserve Bank and World Bank. However, the country faces a concerning level of food insecurity, affecting over 50% of the population, as revealed in a recent World Bank report.
Eduardo Zegarra, a researcher at GRADE, highlights the alarming issue by referencing a report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, indicating that 51% of Peruvians struggle to access nutritious food for a healthy life, impacting approximately 17.6 million people. Latin America has the highest cost of maintaining a healthy diet worldwide, with Peru being particularly affected.
The Community Kitchens Network in Lima is pushing for a dignified budget from the government as World Food Day approaches. Despite the administration’s allocation of over 146 million soles ($26 million) to serve 300,000 beneficiaries, the amount equates to only 1.69 soles ($0.30) per meal, which activists argue is inadequate. They advocate for a budget that allows for meals costing between 9 soles ($1.61) and 12 soles ($2.14) per person, emphasizing the need for Congress to address this issue promptly.