Global Child Nutrition Foundation

?? We know that the impact of #SchoolMeals goes well beyond being an important source of nutritious food for millions of children. However, data on large-scale school meal programs have historically been fragmented and inconsistent. The?Global Survey of School Meal Programs??addresses this gap by collecting the most comprehensive data to date on national and large-scale school feeding programs. The latest School Meal Programs Around the World Report is now available, sharing the results of the 2024 Global Survey of School Meal Programs?. ?? At least 407.8 million children were fed by school meals ?? 38% of programs targeted “climate-friendly” food ?? 43% of programs offered additional support to small-scale farmers, such as agricultural extension or training to supply school meal programs The report was released today at a hybrid?policy seminar?in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by GCNF and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The survey was conducted by GCNF with support from The The Rockefeller Foundation and USDA.

?? ?? According to the latest School Meal Programs Around the World report, 82.2 million children across Africa received #SchoolMeals in the 2022 school year. This remarkable reach is especially meaningful as we celebrate the #ADSF2025 and reflect on a decade of progress in strengthening education, nutrition, and economic development through these vital programs. Africa’s school meal programs lead in several areas: ? 80% of African countries have a national budget line item dedicated to school feeding: Predictable funding helps ensure that millions of children can receive school meals year after year. ? 63% of programs exhibit 4 or more Home-Grown School Feeding indicators: African nations are at the forefront of preferential treatment of small-scale farmers, providing additional support to small-scale farmers, and reducing miles traveled by food.? ? 91% of African countries have a national school feeding policy: On average, countries with a national school feeding policy reach 10% more school-aged children. For a deeper dive into school meal programs across the continent, explore GCNF’s Country Reports and School Meal Programs in Africa infographic highlighting key successes and opportunities. African Union

??? “A plate of food is power in a child’s hands.” – Rachael Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya As we mark the 10th anniversary of the African Day of School Feeding, we celebrate a decade of progress in expanding school meal programs across the continent. #SchoolMeals fuel learning, well-being, and growth for every child, empowering them to reach their full potential. ?? During the global launch of the third School Meal Programs Around the World report, the First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals at school. Her words remind us that school meals are a powerful investment in education, food security, and sustainable development. ?? As we celebrate #ADSF2025, let’s continue advocating for strong, sustainable school feeding programs that empower children and communities across Africa and worldwide! African Union

#Malnutrition is a global challenge—but it’s one we can solve with smarter, more coordinated action. The Global Nutrition Dialogues have identified key priorities to build a healthier, more resilient world: ? Fair wages & income support so families can afford nutritious food ?Expanding school meal programmes to support childhood development ?Targeted nutrition programmes for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, and those in crisis ? Scaling up nutrition awareness to drive informed choices ?Listening to at-risk communities and fostering collaboration to create real change Tackling malnutrition isn’t just about food—it’s about equity, education, and sustainable solutions. Learn more: https://bit.ly/41tWcgu #NutritionForAll #HealthEquity #GlobalSolutions

?? Join us for an insightful #webinar on 12 March 2025 on the power of school meal programmes! ?? Recognized by the United Nations as a cost-effective solution for driving progress across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs), school meal programmes provide children with access to #nutritious food, supporting #cognitive development, improving #academic performance, and enhancing overall well-being. ?? The International Dairy Federation | Fédération Internationale du Lait Action Team on #SchoolMilkProgrammes is hosting this webinar to celebrate and highlight the vital role school meal programmes play in shaping a healthier future for children. #Experts from various fields will discuss the far-reaching impact of these programmes and the role of #dairy in ensuring balanced, sustainable, and nutritious diets for #future #generations. ?? Webinar #Programme: ? Welcome and Moderator: Mary Harrington, Senior Nutritionist, National Dairy Council, Ireland ? A 360-degree approach to understanding impacts of school meals - case of Denmark: Bent Egberg Mikkelsen, Professor at Lund University, Sweden and University of Copenhagen (K?benhavns Universitet), Denmark ? School milk programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ayala Wineman, Research Scientist, Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) #Register here: https://lnkd.in/dXssQ_Qa

This month, the Emploi et Développement social Canada (EDSC) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) launched a public consultation to?seek input on school food data and research in Canada.?The findings will guide future school food research activities as they implement the new?National School Food Program. To participate, visit the?school food data and research priorities in Canada consultation web page by February 28th, 2025.

School meals are a powerful way to ensure children receive nutritious meals – they can also support communities and transform local food systems. This Global Child Nutrition Foundation report reveals school meals are driving change - boosting nutrition for school children, supporting local farmers, and building climate-resilient food systems. Below are some key insights: ?? About 20% of school meal programs surveyed were affected by natural disasters, underscoring the importance of strengthening their sustainability and resilience. ???? More than half (57%) of school meal programs surveyed explicitly aim to support small-scale farmers, for example with access to stable school meal markets. ?? 43% of school meal programs offered additional support to small-scale farmers, such as agricultural extension or training to supply school meal programs. School meals have the potential to transform food systems to create a healthier future for people and planet. Get insights on their impact: https://lnkd.in/euAvs-YM

???? New Blog: The Power of School Meals for Children, Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience I'm excited to share my latest blog, where I reflect on the importance of school meal programs and what we can learn from the Global School Meal Survey Report by the Global Child Nutrition Forum (GCNF). School meals are a critical tool in the fight against child hunger and malnutrition, while also supporting family livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience. The new GCNF report provides valuable data from various countries, helping us shape policies and engage stakeholders with evidence-based strategies. Check out the blog here: The Power of School Meals for Children, Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience ( https://lnkd.in/d-FSHV_S) Let’s keep the conversation going about how we can improve children’s lives and communities worldwide! #SchoolMeals #ChildNutrition #Livelihoods #ClimateResilience #FoodSecurity #PolicyAdvocacy #ENOUGHCampaign #GCNF

A new survey from the Global Child Nutrition Foundation & The Rockefeller Foundation reports that school meal programs can increase demand for nutritious foods, support local farmers, and influence the environmental sustainability of food systems. Specifically, the report states that access to school food helps millions of children receive access to nutritious diets and shifts food preferences in a healthy direction. At Wellness in the Schools, our vision is to ensure access to nourishing food and active play in public schools. Ensuring that school lunch is a healthy, nutritious, and reliable meal for children provides them with an equitable foundation to do well in school and build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. We applaud the work that the Global Child Nutrition Foundation is doing. Supporting the health of the future generation has never been more important than now. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/d9iCFcHV

It was an honor to represent the interim coordination of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at the launch of the Third School Meals Programs Around the World Report last Tuesday. ?? Huge congratulations to the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for hosting such an excellent event! ?? I encourage everyone to explore the findings in the Survey Report: https://lnkd.in/dG5JRKtB ?? Watch the recording of the event here: #SchoolMeals #GlobalNutrition #HungerAndPoverty #GCNF #IFPRI #GlobalAlliance #FoodSecurity