The Role of School Meals in Advancing Global Development Goals
School Meals: A Powerful Tool for Global Progress
Improving the quality and reach of school meal programs can catalyze progress across multiple SDGs, especially SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Meals have been proven to:
- Improve food security and nutrition for children.
- Enhance health outcomes and combat malnutrition.
- Increase school attendance and learning potential.
- Promote gender equity, particularly for girls who often face barriers to education.
- Support local farmers and food systems, driving sustainable agricultural practices.
- Encourage climate action through eco-friendly food production and waste reduction.
Overcoming Challenges Through Global Action
Despite their benefits, school meal programs face obstacles due to economic, political, and environmental crises. For example, during the peak of COVID-19, 370 million children lost access to school meals.
However, initiatives like the School Meals Coalition, launched during the U.N. Food Systems Summit in 2021, have played a vital role in restoring and expanding these programs. Thanks to their efforts, the number of children benefiting from school meals grew from 388 million in 2019 to 418 million by the end of 2021.
The Way Forward
More muscular international coordination and financing mechanisms are needed to maximise the impact of school meal programs. By investing in sustainable, high-quality school meal programs, governments and organizations can:
- Ensure every child has access to nutritious meals at school.
- Strengthen food systems and local economies.
- Accelerate progress toward achieving the 2030 SDGs.
With continued commitment and collaboration, meals can be a transformative solution in the fight against hunger, poverty, and inequality, helping build a healthier, more sustainable future for millions of children worldwide.
