Taskforce

United States of America (USA)

Member since

August 2021

The United States is a longstanding supporter of school meals worldwide. This continued commitment is evident through the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Since its launch in 2003, the programme has supported school meals in more than 50 countries, benefiting over 35 million children worldwide. By investing in school meals, nutrition, education, and national capacity, the programme helps countries strengthen and sustain school meal systems that improve the well-being and learning outcomes of millions of children.

30.1 Million

Total children receiving school meals

23.52 Million

Children enrolled in primary school

29.4 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
September 2021
Declaration signed by the International Food Assistance Division, US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA is investing in additional research and innovation over the coming years. Research shows that updated program standards have had a positive and significant influence on nutrition quality over the last decade for school meal recipients in the United States.
The United States commits to working with Coalition members, building on contributions and lessons learned from the U.S. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, to advance the day when every child is well nourished and well educated.

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National Progress Reports

Reporting year

Programme Design and Coverage

The McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program statutory objectives are the following: reduce hunger, and improve literacy, primary education, and nutrition for millions of children in low-income, food-deficit countries around the globe.
Interventions span food security, education, and child development, supporting pregnant and lactating women, infants, and pre-school children to sustain and improve their health and learning capacity before they enter school.
The Program provides nutritious U.S. agricultural commodities from American farmers, ranchers, and producers alongside financial and technical assistance to strengthen national school feeding capacity, and support multi-year school feeding projects
This includes support for complementary activities in schools and communities that are responsible for safely delivering daily school meals.
The Program supports 32 active multi-year school meals projects across 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere, benefiting around 3.5 million children each year through daily school meals and related activities.

Financing

The McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program is currently investing USD 1 billion in school meals through active programming.
The McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program allows up to 10% of programme funds to be used for local and regional agricultural commodity procurement, helping foster a gradual transition towards nationally owned school meals programmes.

Advocacy and Partnerships

It has supported governments and communities in building the structures and enabling environment necessary to sustain national school meals programs beyond USDA support.

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