El Ciudadano
Original article: “No solo afectaría a escolares, sino a numerosas familias que quedarían sin empleo”: Manipuladoras de alimentos marcharon este 1º de mayo
Food handlers march on May 1st, raising alarms about the future of the School Feeding Program: «There are children who only receive that meal each day»
Cover image: March of food handlers / Photo: La Tribuna (Biobío Province)
Image: Food handlers demonstration. Archive.
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, this May 1st, 2026, thousands of food handlers across the country took to the streets. In Los Angeles alone, nearly 700 food handlers from the Biobío province marched through the city center to the main square, a demonstration organized by the CUT and union leaders, as reported by La Tribuna.
The mobilization comes amid heightened concern over the future of the School Feeding Program (PAE), following the dissemination of Office No. 16 from the Ministry of Finance, which proposed evaluating its continuation. Although the government has denied plans to eliminate the benefit, workers are demanding formal written guarantees.
Prior to May 1st, concerns were raised after a letter was sent by food handlers nationwide to President José Antonio Kast, which was made public by Diario Regionalista.
In the letter, the workers warned that the program is not only crucial for millions of students, but also for their own job security. «We have seen how various government authorities verbally argue that discontinuing the program would not become a reality, but an official document from the Minister of Finance should be amended in the same manner by another document from the same authority,» the text states.
Katherine Rojas Chacón, president of the Salvador Allende Antofagasta Inter-Enterprise Union and national director of the National Federation of Food Handlers Unions (Fenasim Pae Pap), explained to Diario Regionalista that the situation has raised alarm in the northern part of the country. «Many children across the country rely on this food, some receiving only that one meal a day. Furthermore, many handlers’ livelihoods are directly dependent on this program,» she stated. She emphasized, as highlighted by the outlet: «Not only would it affect students, but many families could be left without jobs. It is a very complex situation.»
Meanwhile, the government reiterated that there is no decision to eliminate the PAE. President Kast assured that «we have no intention of cutting off food from the children», while the Ministry of Finance described the office as part of a preliminary technical process. Nevertheless, the workers continue to apply pressure. On May 2nd, CUT Chile released a press statement on its social media where food handlers reiterated their rejection of any cuts. The video is available at the following link:
The debate remains open, especially in regions such as Antofagasta, where the high cost of living makes the PAE an essential pillar. Social organizations and the Union of Educators and Education Professionals (SIPPE) support the food handlers. «It is a grave error to even consider eliminating such a basic benefit as student nutrition,» stated Ivette Gareca, president of SIPPE. The workers warn that they will continue mobilizing until they obtain an official document that rectifies the Minister of Finance’s office.
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