Seeds of Hope: Growing Nutrition for School Children

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Regenerative 2030

Build a larger greenhouse at Finca El Toro School that significantly increases the quality and quantity of fresh food available for boarding students, to improve child nutrition and wellbeing through reliable access to healthy produce, supporting better learning outcomes and long-term community food security.

In the remote Quebrada del Toro region of Salta, Argentina, families face enormous challenges. At more than 3,000 metres (9,840 feet) above sea level, Indigenous communities live in harsh conditions where access to roads, irrigation and fresh produce is limited. In recent years, recurring extreme weather events, storms, landslides and floods have damaged homes, crops and infrastructure, leaving families vulnerable to food insecurity and economic hardship.

At the heart of this community is the Finca El Toro boarding school, home to 40 children from Monday to Friday. While a small greenhouse already exists, it is unable to meet the nutritional needs of the students. With support from the World Expeditions Foundation through the Regen 2030 initiative, a new larger greenhouse will be built to significantly increase food production.

This project will ensure children receive fresh, nutritious meals every day, directly improving their health and wellbeing. Better nutrition will enhance their ability to learn, concentrate and thrive in the classroom. Beyond the school gates, the impact will extend even further. Reduced dependence on purchased food will free up resources, while surplus produce will help feed up to 160 people in the surrounding community.

By focusing on sustainable agriculture and local resilience, the greenhouse will not only deliver immediate benefits but also create lasting change. It strengthens food security, reduces vulnerability to climate shocks, and provides a foundation for healthier futures for children and families in the Quebrada del Toro.

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger: The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication.

Good Health And Well-being: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Quality Education: Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Reduced Inequalities: To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

No Poverty: Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.

Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Impacts

Improved child nutrition: The greenhouse will provide fresh produce, directly improving the health and diet of the 40 children living at the Finca El Toro School.
Enhanced academic performance: Better nutrition is expected to lead to improved concentration, learning outcomes, and overall school performance.
Household economic savings: By reducing the need to purchase fruits and vegetables externally, the project eases financial pressures on the school and local families.
Community food security: Surplus produce, depending on seasonal yields, will benefit the wider local community of approximately 160 people.
Increased resilience: By strengthening local food systems in an area impacted by climate and accessibility challenges, the project reduces vulnerability and supports long-term community sustainability.

Outcomes

Building a greenhouse will significantly improve both the quality and quantity of fresh food available for the children at Finca El Toro School. The children who board at the school from Monday to Friday will benefit from a more balanced and reliable diet, directly supporting their health. With better nutrition, students are expected to have improved concentration, energy, and academic performance.

Background

The people of Quebrada del Toro belong to Indigenous communities living in the mountains at more than 3,000 metres (9,840 feet) above sea level. They lead a simple life based on subsistence farming, animal husbandry, and Andean crop cultivation. Their access roads are frequently cut off by rain, landslides, or snow.

In recent years, they’ve faced a crisis caused by recurring extreme weather events (storms, landslides, and floods), which destroy subsistence Andean crops, such as potatoes, peas, and broad beans, and damage homes, irrigation ditches, and rural roads.

In March 2025, more than 350 families were affected, experiencing displacement, infrastructure loss, and lack of access to drinking water for over two weeks. Poor access to irrigation, roads, and resources has worsened the region’s socio-economic vulnerability.

Additionally, the region’s deforestation and soil degradation have increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, further reducing the resilience of local production systems. This has led to food insecurity, loss of family income, and weakened local economies.

The UNIR Foundation, based in the Salta region of northwestern Argentina, is dedicated to promoting the comprehensive development of individuals and communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Recognising that true development begins with the ability to meet basic human needs, UNIR focuses its work around four essential pillars: work, food, housing, and health.

Given that agriculture is a cornerstone of rural life and economic survival, the foundation places special emphasis on agricultural education and food production initiatives. This includes the creation of school and community vegetable gardens, as well as the development of high-altitude greenhouses, which allow families to grow fresh, nutritious food year-round, even in the region’s challenging mountain climate.