Publications and resources

This discussion paper examines the evolution and effectiveness of school meal programs in South Asia and beyond. It provides evidence on their role in improving educational outcomes, food security, and social protection. It also highlights the role of school meals in promoting gender equity and supporting local agriculture.

Bundy DAP, Gentilini U, Schultz L, et al. School Meals, Social Protection, and Human Development: Revisiting Trends, Evidence, and Practices in South Asia and Beyond. World Bank Discussion Paper; March 2024.

School meal programs are popular, serving 61% of primary students in high-income countries but fewer in less wealthy countries. They contribute to education, health, nutrition, and social protection, with evolving objectives such as focusing on learning, healthy diets, and crisis response. These programs also support smallholder farmers, though this impact is not well-studied. This review highlights strong evidence for school meals but notes gaps in effectiveness and cost clarity, with the School Meals Coalition calling for better evidence in response to COVID-19.

This article reviews the evolving dimensions of school meal programs, examining their contributions to education, health, nutrition, social protection, and support for smallholder farmers. It highlights gaps in evidence regarding program effectiveness and costs, emphasizing the need for updated research to inform policy and implementation.

This report highlights the role of school meals in promoting sustainable food systems within urban food policies. It showcases how school meals address food security, health, and environmental sustainability. It includes case studies from various cities and discusses the challenges and benefits of different school meal programs, including their role in education, social equity, and food system transformation.

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.

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.

The key priorities for the School Meals Coalition in 2024. The priorities include advancing country implementation, promoting sustainable financing, establishing the Coalition’s data monitoring database, and supporting regional networks. It also emphasizes private sector engagement, regional dialogues, and preparations for key events such as the 2024 Task Force Ministerial Meeting in Kenya.

The operational principles of the School Meals Coalition for 2024. It highlights the Coalition’s objectives, including restoring, reaching, and improving school meal programs globally, with an emphasis on multisectoral collaboration, evidence-based action, and sustainable financing.