Publications and resources

This case study details Finland's long-standing universal school meals program, which has been providing free meals to all students for over 75 years. The program emphasizes sustainability, local food procurement, and balanced nutrition. It plays a crucial role in educational equality, promoting health and well-being, and supporting local economies.

Kuusipalo H, Manninen M. School Meals Case Study: Finland. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; November 2023.

This case study highlights Japan’s school meal program, including its rich history and the role of food and nutrition education (Shokuiku) in school curriculums. It explores the use of local and organic products in meals and how school lunches are utilized as educational tools to teach children about nutrition, culture, and environmental sustainability.

Health Education and Shokuiku Division, MAFF. School Meals Case Study: Japan. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; September 2023.

This case study discusses the French school meals program, focusing on the role of local, sustainable food procurement, and nutrition education within schools. It emphasizes France's national strategy for promoting organic foods, reducing food waste, and improving nutritional outcomes in schools. The case highlights policies such as universal free school meals and dietary standards set by the French government.

Avallone S, Verger EO, Brunin J, Demailly S, Plessz M. School Meals Case Study: France. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; September 2023.

This research paper explores how the interruption of school-based health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including deworming programs, highlighted the importance of these services. It discusses the acceleration of multisectoral approaches to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with school closures acting as a catalyst for global efforts in health and education recovery.

Bundy DAP, Schultz L, Antoninis M, Barry FBM, Burbano C, Croke K, Drake L, Gyapong J, Karutu C, Kihara J, Lo MM, Makkar P, Mwandawiro C, Ossipow SJ, Bento AR, Rollinson D, Shah H, Turner HC. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B; 2023.

This working paper explores the history, design, and implementation of school meal programs in the U.S., including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). It highlights issues related to food security, nutritional norms, and federal policy, and it discusses challenges and best practices for improving school meal participation and quality.

Toossi S, Cohen J, Clift J, Turner L, Gosliner W, Schwartz M. School Meals Case Study: United States of America. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; 2023.

This case study explores Canada's patchwork of school food programs, which are largely driven by provincial, territorial, and local initiatives without a national policy. It highlights food security, nutrition goals, and the challenges posed by insufficient funding, volunteer reliance, and inequitable access across the country.

Ruetz AT, Tasala K, McKenna M, Martin A, Michnik K, Edwards G, Engler-Stringer R, Everitt T, Maximova K, Mosby I, Seko Y, Woodruff S. School Meals Case Study: Canada. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; April 2023.

There is a significant—and growing—body of evidence that well-designed and effectively delivered school meal programs are a cost-effective and scalable means to build human capital, improve learning outcomes, and improve health and nutrition.

Drawing on existing literature, the most up-to-date data, and case studies from around the world, this report provides the first overview of the extent to which countries are supporting their children and adolescents through school health and nutrition policies and programmes. It encourages efforts to improve, scale up, sustain and monitor the progress of these programmes to address learners’ needs holistically, so that all children and adolescents can learn and thrive.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNESCO); World Food Programme