School meal programs play a vital role in fighting hunger and boosting education worldwide. In 2025, nearly 80 million children benefited from these initiatives, marking a significant 20% increase since 2020. This growth is especially pronounced in developing nations, where school meals help improve attendance, focus, and overall learning outcomes.
These programs also have a positive impact on local economies by sourcing food from nearby farmers. However, rising food prices and cuts in aid pose challenges. A new initiative called the School Meals Accelerator aims to support governments in maximizing their meal program budgets to reach an additional 100 million children by 2030.
This accelerator is backed by organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Food Programme. It stems from discussions at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, where 120 countries pledged to enhance school meal programs. The Rockefeller Foundation has invested $25 million in this effort, building on a $100 million commitment to address global nutrition issues through school meals.
Roy Steiner from the Rockefeller Foundation emphasizes that school meals are not just about nutrition; they also drive economic growth when schools buy from local farmers. By learning from successful programs in countries like Brazil, where government funding prioritizes local sourcing, others can adapt these strategies to fit their needs.
Brazil’s program is notable, having allocated over $824 million in 2022 to provide meals for more than 35 million students. A key requirement is that 30% of funds are spent on food from small-scale, local producers, which strengthens local agriculture and promotes community well-being.
In addition to school meals, there’s a growing focus on the concept of “food as medicine.” This approach emphasizes the connection between nutrition and health. Recent initiatives, like the $10 million Food is Medicine Impact Fund launched by the Rockefeller Foundation and Builders Vision, aim to improve health outcomes through targeted nutrition interventions, especially for vulnerable populations like veterans.
To dig deeper into sustainable food systems, the Rockefeller Foundation recently debuted a documentary called FOOD 2050. This film highlights the challenges of feeding a projected 10 billion people by 2050 while promoting regenerative farming practices. It emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration to address issues like climate change and income inequality, which can hinder effective solutions.
As school meal programs expand, the focus must shift towards sustainability and local sourcing. While many governments understand the importance of feeding school children, specialized expertise is needed to address issues like logistics and procurement. The School Meals Accelerator aims to work directly with education ministries to create actionable plans tailored to each country’s unique context.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that more children have access to nutritious meals sourced from local farmers. A collaborative approach, considering various funding methods and local circumstances, will be crucial. The Rockefeller Foundation is also developing a tool with the World Food Programme to track meal quality, ensuring that these nutrients continue to improve.
“The drive is to enhance demand for resilient crops through school meals,” Steiner states. With the right programs, we can achieve healthier diets while promoting a sustainable food system.
