Publications and resources

This report presents a cost-benefit analysis of Burundi’s National School Feeding Programme (PNAS), quantifying its multi-sectoral impact. Recipients are shown to complete an average of 1.8 more years of schooling and have improved health outcomes, including reduced anaemia and 55 additional healthy life years per 1,000 students. The study also estimates a strong financial return: for every 1 Fbu invested, 6 Fbu in long-term benefits are generated.

The Final Communiqué from the III International Seminar on Best Practices in School Feeding within CPLP summarizes discussions and outcomes from the event held on December 3-4, 2024, in São Tomé. It highlights shared strategies for sustainable school feeding programmes, capacity-building, local sourcing, and multilateral cooperation, aligning with CPLP’s Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This report highlights the vital role of school meal programmes in tackling global challenges, detailing their impact on nutrition, learning, and rural livelihoods, and their contribution to the SDGs. It also presents scenarios for expanding school feeding in low- and middle-income countries and addresses financial and policy needs to achieve universal access by 2030.

This report explores the feasibility of allocating Africa’s oil and mineral revenues to fund sustainable school feeding programmes. It analyzes policy frameworks, financial mechanisms, and includes a case study of Senegal to illustrate how natural resource revenues can support social protection systems like school meals.​

This research paper provides an analysis of the SABER (Systems Approach for Better Education Results) School Feeding policy tool, used over 10 years by 59 countries to design, strengthen, and track their school meals programs. It highlights findings from 51 comparable SABER surveys, emphasizing policy developments in school meal implementation and financial challenges in low-income countries.

This report examines the potential of debt swaps as a financing mechanism for school meals, analyzing opportunities, constraints, and policy implications for sustainable school feeding programmes. It includes detailed case studies of Ghana, Honduras, Kenya, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

This policy brief outlines the support the Sustainable Financing Initiative presents to help governments develop sustainable financing strategies for school feeding programs. It provides services such as fiscal space analysis, costing analysis, and facilitating dialogue on financing options to transition towards country ownership and sustainability.

This white paper explores how school meals can drive food systems transformation, focusing on nutrition, climate resilience, and sustainability. It emphasizes the integration of local agriculture, the reduction of food waste, and the promotion of healthier, planet-friendly diets in school programs. Various case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these policies across diverse contexts.

Pastorino S, Bundy D, Springmann M, Burbano C. School Meals and Food Systems. Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition; January 2024.