The Secretariat of Economy and Labor of Puebla has announced the beginning of a pilot test aimed at allowing the sale of local products in schools and shopping centers. The goal of this initiative is to promote the consumption of healthy products made in Puebla and strengthen the local economy.
In Puebla, there are more than 500 cooperatives, and efforts have been made in collaboration with entrepreneurs to design strategies that facilitate the marketing of their products in different markets. As part of this plan, pilot tests will be conducted in 100 schools in the state, although it has not been specified in which municipalities they will take place.
The participating cooperatives will exclusively offer healthy foods of local origin in the selected schools. Among the products that will be available are mole, mezcal, snacks, vegetables, dehydrated products, and corn derivatives, among others. The main objective of this initiative is to reduce the consumption of junk food among children, in line with the strategy to combat childhood obesity promoted by Governor Alejandro Armenta Mier.
Additionally, the invitation has been extended to the Association of Shopping Centers of Puebla to collaborate and allow these local products to also be marketed in the main shopping centers of the city. Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, the head of the agency, stated: "We want everything they produce, which is very varied, to be available in the shopping centers".
It is worth noting that last year, through the initiative "Made in Puebla: Poblano Market" and in partnership with La Gran Bodega, local entrepreneurs were supported so that 200 products could be sold in the branches of that store.
Puebla faces an alarming reality, as four out of ten children in the state are overweight, representing a serious public health problem. Overweight can lead to diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, and even death. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut) of 2020, the state led the national ranking with approximately 201,000 minors affected by this condition.
