Drastic change in eating habits: 10 million children in Argentina cut back on meat and dairy

A recent UNICEF study reveals that nearly 10 million children in Argentina have reduced their consumption of meat and dairy due to a lack of financial resources. Compared with 2023, there has been a 24% increase in the consumption of noodles and flour, while the intake of fruit and vegetables has dropped alarmingly by 58%.

The study also revealed that one million girls and boys go to bed without dinner, a figure that rises to one and a half million if those who skip a meal during the day are included.

Pata Pila's response to the nutrition crisis

Faced with this worrying situation, the Franciscan NGO Pata Pila has implemented programs focused on improving child nutrition, supporting families and creating jobs in the most affected communities of northern Argentina. These regions are among the hardest hit by the economic crisis.

Diego Bustamante, founder of Pata Pila, points out: "With the massive devaluation and runaway inflation, it is hard to imagine the cost of a dozen eggs at a grocery store. In many territories, the lack of access to technology, productive resources and water makes growing their own food extremely difficult."

Economic impact on vulnerable households

Almost half of households with children cannot cover essential expenses for food, health and education. According to the research, nine out of ten families report that their income does not let them buy the same amount of basic goods as the year before. In addition, 82% of households struggle to cover essential expenses such as school supplies, clothing and shoes.

Children forced to skip meals

In this context, more than one million children are forced to skip a meal every day because of a lack of income, which further aggravates the nutritional crisis.

Pata Pila's commitment to vulnerable communities

Despite these difficulties, Diego Bustamante stresses Pata Pila's commitment: "Today, Pata Pila has 87 people working in different vulnerable territories across Argentina. We have centers, trucks and fuel, we deliver liters of milk and we build water wells. The economy hits the community and projects like ours, which operates almost like a small business. Even so, we keep going thanks to the private support of donors, sponsors and godparents, who contribute what they can each month through automatic debit. Those contributions become professionals on the ground, trades, production and access to drinking water."

Join the change: donate now

This study highlights the deep food and financial crisis in Argentina, which is seriously affecting children's nutrition and well-being, as well as families' ability to meet their basic needs. In this context, Pata Pila continues to drive projects that benefit the communities most in need.

If you would like to be part of Pata Pila's La Comunidad, you can contribute monthly or as a one-time gift.