- Continue providing free and nutritious school meals to all children in compulsory education, ensuring meals support learning, health, and social inclusion, and are integrated into educational activities across all 290 municipalities.
- Introduce the fruit and vegetable component of the EU School Scheme starting in the 2025/2026 school year, in addition to the provision of milk, expanding Sweden’s engagement in promoting healthy eating habits among children.
- Strengthen the development of public meals through the Competence Center at the Swedish National Food Agency, using the national “Meal Model” to guide quality, sustainability, and educational integration of school meals.
- Remain an active member of the Rome-Based Agencies, contributing to international collaboration and advocacy on sustainable school meals and food systems.
Sweden
National Commitments
Commitment submitted on
Declaration signed by
the Ministry of Rural Affairs and infrastructure
National Progress Reports
- School meals are a statutory right in Sweden, fully financed by municipalities, with national support through guidelines and knowledge-sharing networks.
- Sweden invests in innovation and sustainability through research, student engagement, and integration of local food systems, contributing to reduced climate impact.
- The government contributes data and expertise to international initiatives, and Swedish researchers and experts are finalizing a case study for the Coalition showcasing its school meal model and best practice.
Programme Design and Coverage
- Sweden expanded its participation in the EU School Scheme by introducing the fruit and vegetable component in the 2025-2026 school year, complementing its long-standing participation in the school milk scheme. The revised scheme is expected to reach approximately 1.1 million pupils in compulsory education.
- Sweden continues to provide free and nutritious school meals to all children in compulsory education. In the 2025-2026 school year, approximately 1.94 million children, pupils and students received free school meals across preschool, compulsory and upper secondary education.
- The Swedish National Food Agency continues to support municipalities through its Competence Center for Public Meals, promoting the holistic "Meal Model," which integrates nutrition, sustainability, food safety, wellbeing and educational value into school meal provision.
- In 2026, Sweden updated its National Guidelines for School Meals, strengthening guidance on nutrition, sustainability, procurement, preparedness and the integration of school meals into the educational environment. Nationwide webinars and implementation support are helping translate the updated guidance into practice.
Advocacy and Partnerships
- Sweden remains an active member of the UN Rome-Based Agencies network and continues to contribute to international dialogue and knowledge exchange on school meals and sustainable food systems.