Transitioning school feeding program to impact social sustainability of Jamaica

Developed and developing countries are experiencing the effects of food insecurity. Jamaica is no exception and is experiencing its manifestation through obesity, especially among children. The need to address these two global issues, food insecurity and obesity, is the main motivation for this study. Thus, both issues pose challenges to achieving social sustainability for both developed and developing countries. The literature presents background information regarding food insecurity and obesity, including short- and long-term consequences, at the individual and societal levels. The literature also highlights options available to address the challenges of increased availability and accessibility of unhealthy food choices to children in school. The focus is on the use of the Home-Grown School Feeding program. The aim is to understand how incorporating locally grown produce could address the issues of food insecurity and childhood obesity while simultaneously impact social sustainability in Jamaica. Using a qualitative approach, this research explored stakeholders' perceptions on the challenges encountered with the existing school feeding program, with the intention to explore transitioning towards social sustainability in Jamaica. The transition management framework was used as a tool to understand the reality that exists from stakeholders' perspectives for long-term transformational objectives. The transition management framework will also be used as the foundation to develop two systems maps to illustrate the current status and envisioned future for Jamaica's school feeding program.;Keywords: food insecurity, obesity, Home Grown School Feeding, transition management, social sustainability..