[Food supply in schools in the Sabalibougou neighborhood, commune 5 of the district of Bamako].

The aim of this study was to contribute to the improvement of food supply in schools at the Sabalibougou neighborhood in the fifth commune of the district of Bamako. Conducted in 2012, this was a cross quantitative questionnaire study including 200 sellers working within schools in the area. The main results were: Food sales activity at schools level was entirely ensured by married women. 74.50% were illiterate and the average age was 37.47 years. 10.50% of the food sellers were involved inside the establishment while 89.50% were working outside the schools in the streets. Hot meals, whose production chain has several critical points that must be monitor were consumed by 64.50% of schoolchildren. Whatever the seller's category and type of food sold, the hygiene conditions along the process were poor because 80.50% of foods were prepared at home the night before and brought out in the morning to be sold, and 87.93% kept the food prepared at room temperature. In 15.00% of cases the meals were served in the unwashed hands of the child. The work environment was unhealthy in 86.50% of cases. Given this situation it was recommended to educate vendors on food hygiene and continue promoting school canteens.