Events
Upcoming events
School Meals at the 2026 Global Child Nutrition Forum
Under the theme "From Vision to Action: Achieving Ambitious School Meal Program Objectives," the 2026 GCNF is taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 2-5 November 2026. The forum will bring together government representatives, development partners, researchers, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to explore practical solutions for scaling and strengthening school meal programmes worldwide. Participants will examine key issues including healthy school food environments, youth engagement, school feeding in crisis and displacement settings, sustainable financing, local procurement, job creation, climate-resilient food systems, nutrition innovation, and responsible private sector engagement.
School Meals at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31)
COP31, taking place in Antalya, Türkiye from 9-20 November 2026, aims to translate dialogue into action under Türkiye's presidency. The conference brings together global leaders, policymakers, scientists, businesses, civil society, and youth to accelerate climate action and strengthen international cooperation, while advancing implementation of the Paris Agreement. COP31 discussions on sustainable food systems, food security, climate finance, youth engagement and inclusive development provide a strong platform for members and partners of the School Meals Coalition to showcase how nationally owned school meal programmes can serve as a practical investment at the intersection of nutrition, education, resilience and climate action.
Child Nutrition at the Heart of the Paris Peace Forum 2026
The Paris Peace Forum, from 10-11 November, convenes governments, international organizations, civil society and more to develop practical solutions to shared global challenges. It seeks to advance governance & concrete initiatives in areas like peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, health, technology & international cooperation. Under the theme "From Sovereignty to Cooperation," the forum will have a special focus on childhood and the investments needed to support children. It offers an opportunity to highlight the role of school meals as effective public investment tools in peace, stability and human capital.
Past Events
School as a Strategic Platform for One Health interventions
Co-organised by the Research Consortium and GIZ, this online side event at the One Health Festival will explore how schools can strengthen health, social and food systems through integrated services.
Discussions will highlight cost-effective school-based interventions, including deworming, vaccinations, vision screening, healthy school meals, WASH services and health education, and the role of schools in preventing infectious and non-communicable diseases while building more resilient health systems.
Register here.
School meals: Improving child health and leveraging food systems transformation
Join the Research Consortium for the launch of a new Special Collection on planet-friendly school meals in The Lancet Planetary Health.
This hybrid event will explore how school meal programmes can improve child health, strengthen sustainable food systems and support climate goals. Organised by the Research Consortium’s Diets & Planetary Health Community of Practice with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the event will feature experts discussing key insights from the collection and the broader social and environmental benefits of investing in school meals.
School Meals in the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW)
11 March, 11:00–12:30 (CET)
As part of Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HPNW), the School Meals Coalition, World Vision, the World Food Programme, Save the Children and the International Development Institute will host a webinar to explore the challenges faced by crisis-affected‑affected children, lessons from school meals in emergencies, new research on their role in social cohesion, and pathways to expand these programmes across humanitarian, development and peace efforts.
A new Coalition advocacy brief will be shared soon with members and partners to use in outreach, policy dialogue and advocacy.
11th Africa Day of School Feeding & International School Meals Day
Africa Day of School Feeding and International School Meals Day are annual moments to advance a shared vision for school meals worldwide.
The School Meals Coalition marks these moments by positioning school meals as a proven driver across nutrition, education and food systems. Together, these days help sustain political will, strengthen coordinated action and amplify evidence from across regions. Through them, the Coalition, its initiatives, member states and partners demonstrate how government-led school meals programmes translate political commitments into multisectoral action at scale.
The 2025 Global Impact Evaluation Forum
The 2025 Global Impact Evaluation Forum, hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with BMZ and Norad, will build on the momentum of the 2023 WFP Forum in Rome and the 2024 WFP–UNICEF Forum in New York. This year’s Forum pivots from exploration to joint action, focusing on how evidence partnerships can drive more effective action in complex and overlapping crises.
Download the online agenda HERE The Forum is streamed on two links: BLUEand PURPLE. Register by clicking the links and use the online agenda to navigate.
The Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition's 3rd Annual Showcase
The Research Consortium’s third Annual Showcase will present the latest cutting-edge evidence on school meals, highlighting how research is driving real-world impact across sectors.
The event will bring together members of the Global Academy—a network of over 1,300 experts—along with policymakers and partners to exchange insights, share new findings, and explore innovative approaches to strengthen school meal programmes worldwide.
Registration through this link.
School Meals at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30)
The 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) will convene government leaders, scientists, private sector, international financial institutions, civil society & youth to accelerate global action on climate. COP30 will be an “implementation COP” under Brazil’s presidency, presenting a key opportunity for members and partners of the School Meals Coalition to position school meals as a proven, scalable, climate-smart investment that delivers across nutrition, resilience and food systems transformation. Anchored in national ownership and guided by evidence, school meal programmes represent a practical and effective pathway to deliver on countries’ climate, food systems and sustainable development commitments, benefiting people and planet.
School Meals at the 52nd Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 52)
"Investing in the Future: Building Partnerships and Strengthening Financing for Healthier School Meals Programmes": A side event will explore how stronger partnerships and sustainable financing can advance healthier school meals programmes worldwide. Building on insights from SOFI 2025, speakers from Coalition member & partners FAO, Kenya, Ukraine, Brazil & Sweden will share best practices and highlight how evidence and collaboration are driving progress toward ensuring every child has access to a healthy meal at school.