By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In response to a growing crisis, the Food Bank of Costa Rica has launched “NutriHéroes,” a strategic initiative designed to mobilize the nation’s private sector in the fight against child malnutrition. The program aims to provide nutritious breakfasts to vulnerable children, addressing a stark reality highlighted by recent data: Costa Rica holds the highest rate of child poverty among all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries.
The urgency of the situation is further underscored by 2019 statistics from the national Education and Nutrition Centers (CEN-CINAI), which revealed that a staggering 13.6% of all evaluated children suffer from some form of malnutrition. This not only threatens their immediate health but also jeopardizes their long-term cognitive development, academic potential, and future economic prospects, creating a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.
To delve into the legal responsibilities and the framework protecting minors from this scourge, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his analysis on the matter.
Child malnutrition is not just a public health crisis; it is a profound legal failure. The state has a constitutional mandate to guarantee the well-being of minors, a duty that is primary and inescapable. When a child suffers from malnutrition, it signals negligence, and the legal responsibility falls not only on the parents or guardians under the principle of ‘Patria Potestad,’ but also on state institutions for failing to intervene effectively. This can trigger administrative sanctions and, in severe cases, criminal proceedings, as our legal system prioritizes the superior interest of the child above all else.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This crucial legal perspective powerfully reframes the issue, underscoring that child malnutrition is not merely a tragedy to be addressed with aid, but a systemic failure that demands state accountability. It shifts the focus from charitable intervention to a matter of legal obligation and justice for our most vulnerable. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying insight.
The NutriHéroes program serves as a direct call to action for corporations to become integral partners in reversing this trend. By uniting businesses with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the initiative seeks to create a sustainable support system for the country’s most at-risk youth.
With NutriHéroes, we seek to unite efforts between the private sector and NGOs to offer children a nutritional foundation that allows them to reach their full potential. Each breakfast represents an opportunity to build a healthier and more equitable future.
Francia Linares, Executive Director of the Food Bank
To facilitate corporate involvement, the Food Bank has structured the program with two clear partnership modalities. Companies can contribute through direct “Product Sponsorship,” donating essential food items such as milk, eggs, and oatmeal. Alternatively, they can opt for “Economic Sponsorship,” with financial plans designed to fund both the cost of the breakfasts and supplementary nutritional education workshops for families.
A key element of the program’s design is its focus on transparency and measurable results. All corporate contributions will be tracked with clear impact indicators and full traceability, ensuring partners can see the tangible effects of their investment. Furthermore, the initiative includes opportunities for corporate volunteerism, allowing employees to engage directly with the communities they are supporting and strengthening the bond between the business world and social organizations.
The benefits of NutriHéroes extend far beyond the morning meal. By ensuring children start their day with proper nutrition, the program is expected to yield significant improvements in concentration, school attendance, and overall academic performance. For the partner NGOs, a stable supply of food from the program frees up their limited resources, enabling them to allocate more funding toward other critical social services like education, healthcare, and psychological support.
Francia Linares emphasized that the program is about more than charity; it is a strategic investment in the nation’s human capital. By tackling malnutrition at its roots, corporate partners are not just feeding children but are actively contributing to a more productive and stable workforce for the future.
This program promotes a supportive and conscious corporate culture that understands that investing in childhood is investing in the country’s future.
Francia Linares, Executive Director of the Food Bank
The Food Bank of Costa Rica has a proven track record of large-scale impact. Over the past year alone, the organization successfully distributed over 3,600 tons of food, benefiting more than 41,000 people each month through a robust network of 361 social organizations across 68 cantons. With NutriHéroes, the Food Bank aims to build upon this foundation, creating a powerful and sustainable model of collaboration to ensure no child in Costa Rica has to start their day on an empty stomach.
Companies interested in joining the NutriHéroes initiative are encouraged to learn more about sponsorship opportunities by visiting the Food Bank’s official website.
For further information, visit bancodealimentos.or.cr
About The Food Bank of Costa Rica:
The Food Bank of Costa Rica is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and reducing food waste throughout the country. It operates by rescuing edible food from producers, distributors, and retailers, and redistributing it through a network of affiliated social welfare organizations that serve vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and families in poverty.
For further information, visit ministeriodesalud.go.cr
About CEN-CINAI:
The Dirección Nacional de CEN-CINAI is a government entity under Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health responsible for promoting the well-being of young children and their families. It manages a national network of centers that provide comprehensive early childhood care, nutritional support, and educational services to children and pregnant or lactating mothers in conditions of poverty or social vulnerability.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and a steadfast pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide array of clients to champion innovative legal approaches and forward-thinking solutions. Central to its mission is a profound dedication to democratizing legal knowledge, aiming to cultivate a more capable and empowered society through greater understanding and accessibility of the law.
