Co-chair Taskforce

France

Member since

September 2021

France has made significant progress in advancing school meals through global advocacy, sustained financing, research and innovation, and strengthened national standards for nutrition and sustainability. Its efforts have contributed to expanding support for school meals worldwide while enhancing the quality, accessibility and educational value of school meals in France.

9.56 Million

Total children receiving school meals

4.21 Million

Children enrolled in primary school

10.15 Billion

Total investment in school meals (USD)

Figures reflect the latest available data from the State of School Feeding Worldwide report, national reporting and global sources. Governments may update data more frequently, so values may differ from most recent national statistics. Reference year, source and further details are available in the School Meals Coalition Global Database.

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National Commitments

Commitment submitted on
November 2021
Declaration signed by the Permanent Representation of France to the Rome-based UN Agencies (WFP, FAO, IFAD)

Starting 2022, the meals served in school must consist of at least 50% of sustainable and quality products, including at least 20% of products from organic farming. To widen everyone's access to school meals, aid for school canteens in rural communities (€ 50 million) have been put in place.
France commits to advocate for school meals in global agendas, such as the G7, G20 and promote the Coalition during exchanges with representatives of states and governments.
France will provide a secondment to support the work of the Sustainable Financing Taskforce.
France has increased its financing for operations. In addition, some of the food aid projects financed by France in countries in food crisis will focus in particular on support for school meals, as is the case in 2021 in Afghanistan (up to 13 million euros), Algeria, Ethiopia, Halti, Niger, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Venezuela.
France committed to joining the Peer-to-Peer Network led by Germany for the exchange of good practices and engaging the Research Consortium through French academic institutions, who will be working on capturing the national best practices and lessons learned in a case study, supported by French academic institutions.

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National Progress Reports

Reporting year

Programme Design and Coverage

France continues to strengthen the quality and sustainability of school meals through nutrition standards, regulated portion sizes, and targets for sustainable and organic food procurement.
The requirement to offer at least one vegetarian meal per week is now widely implemented, with 96.7% of reporting schools complying in 2025.
France promotes food education through the Taste Classes programme, which helps schools foster healthy eating habits and food literacy.

Financing

Since 2021, France has mobilized nearly EUR 139 million to support school feeding programmes worldwide, primarily through the World Food Programme, including projects implemented in 20 countries in 2025.
France has also promoted access to school feeding within its own territory through a rural school canteen support scheme, benefiting more than 1,900 municipalities and 5,000 primary schools.

Advocacy and Partnerships

France continues to play a leading role in the School Meals Coalition through high-level advocacy in the G7, G20, European Union and United Nations, and by financing an International Technical Expert within the World Food Programme's School Meals Division.
Through the French School Meals Network (RESCO), research institutions and local authorities, France has strengthened knowledge-sharing and international collaboration on school meals, including through the promotion of the Chouette Cantine approach.

Data and Evidence

France has strengthened its contribution to global school meals research through leading research institutions and the UNESCO Chair World Food, generating new research and international collaborations on nutrition and sustainable food systems.
The French School Meals Network (RESCO), which brings together more than 100 members, has documented and disseminated good practices through case studies, international exchanges and a community of practice.

Next steps

Strengthen sustainable procurement practices, food waste reduction and the use of quality food products through the ma cantine platform and other support mechanisms.
Expand the €1 school canteen scheme to improve access to affordable school meals while supporting sustainable sourcing objectives.
Finalize updated nutrition standards for school meals and support their implementation nationwide.
Continue promoting healthy eating through the European School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme.

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France

National Commitments

Commitment submitted on
November 2021
Declaration signed by the Permanent Representation of France to the Rome-based UN Agencies (WFP, FAO, IFAD)