Evaluation of School Snack in Educational District Ten, Francisco Morazán through Industrial Systems Simulation (#208)

Authors

Wood Martínez, Samuel David

Abstract

The fundamental purpose of the School Lunch Program in Honduras is to ensure the adequate supply of food rations for school and preschool students. However, according to the information gathered, during the year 2023, food deliveries in four schools located in the areas of Los Pinos, La Residencial Honduras and El Tablón have failed to meet the nutritional needs of students. Surveys were conducted with closed-ended questions to the 4 principals of the four schools of interest and 29 parents of students attending these schools. Once these data were obtained, a simulation model could begin to reflect the reality of the schools in the process of supplying food rations. The results of the simulations provided fundamental information to carry out an effectiveness analysis of the food ration distribution process in the four schools in the areas surrounding the Universidad Tecnológica Centro Americana. The percentage of effectiveness was established based on the days the student received their snack at the schools and the days they attended the schools. The main results were in a range between 14% and 47% of efficiency in the food delivery process. In conclusion, it is evident that the School Snack Program fails to meet the nutritional needs of the four selected schools, since the levels of effectiveness recorded through the simulations conducted are consistently below 50% in all cases. The mismatch between food supply and student demand highlights the urgency of reconsidering and restructuring the program's approach.