School Meals at the Nutrition for Growth Summit
27–28 Mar 2025
Paris, France
The Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit brought together global leaders to drive a bold vision for nutrition and sustainable development.
The School Meals Coalition participated in the summit, advocating for school meals as a key driver of nutrition and development. The summit sought to secure ambitious financial and political commitments and fostered dialogue among diverse actors from around the world. At the summit, the Coalition, its Initiatives and Partners highlighted the role of school meal programmes in increasing access to healthy food and in improving and maintaining nutritional outcomes.
UN General Assembly Recognition
School Meals and the Coalition recognized in UN General Assembly resolution
The United Nations General Assembly has formally recognized school meals as a critical platform for advancing nutrition, education, and child development, and explicitly acknowledged the role of the School Meals Coalition, acknowledging the momentum built through its global summit in Paris and the upcoming summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, this September. With the support of 158 Member States, 84 of which are members of the Coalition, this resolution extends the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition to 2030, placing school meals at the centre of global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition.
The resolution affirms that school meals go way beyond a plate of food for a child at school, and signals an unprecedented level of political will and global alignment around school meals anchored at the highest level of international governance.
View UN Resolution (A/RES/79/L.66)
Co-chairs France & Brazil Welcome Resolution
Rockefeller commits $100M to Reach 100 Million Children
The Rockefeller Foundation makes a powerful commitment to supporting governments reach 100 million children with nutritious school meals
The Rockefeller Foundation announced a $100 million commitment to support governments in reaching 100 million children with nutritious school meals over the next five years. The investment is focused on building national capacity and supporting greater self-reliance for governments to deliver sustainable, country-led programmes for their children. Pilot efforts in Kenya, Brazil, and the United States have already shown the potential of school meals to drive results across nutrition, education, and local food systems.
In partnership with national governments, the World Food Programme, and the School Meals Coalition, the initiative will strengthen efforts across the public, private, and non-profit sectors across three pillars: supporting scaling school meals and enhancing their nutritional quality, cultivating local economic development through local farmer supply chains, and mobilizing financing and policy efforts.
UNESCO Report on Nutrition & Education
Learn to Eat Well: New global report explores how school meals can help connect SDG2 and SDG4
As food insecurity rises, obesity rates hit record highs, and policymaking remains fragmented, the "Learn to Eat Well" report delivers a clear message: education and nutrition cannot remain siloed. Published by the Global Education Monitoring Report at UNESCO, in collaboration with the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition, the report calls for governments to adopt a systemic, life-cycle approach that links school meal programmes, food education, and sustainable diets from early childhood through adulthood.
It shows that investing in education is critical to tackling hunger and malnutrition, just as good nutrition is essential for learning, development, and well-being. With school meals as a proven platform, the report presents a roadmap to bridge SDG2 and SDG4 through curriculum design, farmer training, public awareness, and robust programme monitoring.
GPE Reaffirms $3 Million Commitment for School Nutrition
A commitment to expand school nutrition programmes in low-income countries
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) reaffirmed a $3 million commitment to expand school nutrition programmes in low-income countries to support governments integrate school meals into national education plans. These efforts will help build sustainable, country-led approaches to improve nutrition and boost learning outcomes.
Since 2021, GPE has invested over $60 million in school health and nutrition, including emergency support during the COVID-19 pandemic and active grants in 23 countries.
Paris Declaration on Business & Nutrition 2030
An opportunity to align school meals and food systems transformation
The Paris Declaration on Business & Nutrition 2030, launched by the Paris Peace Forum with ATNi, and the GAIN Alliance, calls for action across sectors to transform food systems and build a stronger “Nutrition Economy” by calling on all stakeholders including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, to collaborate in transforming food systems.
It highlights the critical role of public procurement, including school meals, in expanding markets for nutritious food, especially from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Featured quotes
France: President Emmanuel Macron
🎙 #N4GParis | President @EmmanuelMacron reaffirming #France🇫🇷’s commitment to #SchoolMeals—both at home and worldwide through the @SchoolMeals_ Coalition, co-chaired by #Brazil 🇧🇷 and #Finland 🇫🇮, with @WFP as secretariat.
— School Meals Coalition (@SchoolMeals_) March 28, 2025
Four years since its launch, the Coalition brings… pic.twitter.com/bAEAztoZlb
Cambodia: Dr. Sok Silo
🎙️ #N4GParis | H.E. Dr. Sok Silo, #Cambodia 🇰🇭:
— School Meals Coalition (@SchoolMeals_) March 28, 2025
➡️ “A national nutrition survey revealed that over 80% of Cambodian children aged 6-17 have inadequate intake of key micronutrients. Cambodia is committed to full ownership of the national homegrown school feeding programme by… pic.twitter.com/plwITIXino
Rockefeller: Elizabeth Yee
🎙️ #N4GParis | Elizabeth Yee @eyee5, EVP of Programmes @RockefellerFdn:
— School Meals Coalition (@SchoolMeals_) March 28, 2025
➡️“We’re announcing $100 million from @RockefellerFdn to support funding locally grown #SchoolMeals for 100 million kids by 2030. Our goal is really bold and simple: how do we use our dollars to put the… pic.twitter.com/mZD4hMVUwG
WFP: Valerie Guarnieri
🎙️ #N4GParis | Valerie Guarnieri @VGuarnieri, Assistant ED @WFP, representing the @SchoolMeals_ Coalition:
— School Meals Coalition (@SchoolMeals_) March 28, 2025
➡️ “Of the 100+ country members of the Coalition, nearly half set concrete national targets to scale up. About $48 billion annually is spent on #SchoolMeals, with over… pic.twitter.com/F1vAEtskIv
School Meals-specific
Event Schedule
26 March
09:00 - 10:15 CET
Learn to Eat Well: Education and Nutrition
📍 Location: UNESCO HQ, Paris
🤝 Organizers: UNESCO & Research Consortium
📝 Participation: In-person only
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This event will launch a joint paper by the UNESCO GEM Report and the Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition, highlighting education’s role in tackling malnutrition. It will explore cross-sectoral collaboration in education, food security, and nutrition for a more sustainable and equitable future.
09:30-17:00 CET
AFD (Agence Française de Développement) Scientific Conference
📍 Location: AFD, Paris
🤝 Organizers: MFA, AFD, INRAE, CIRAD, INSERM
📝 Participation: In-person & online
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This conference will bring together researchers and policymakers to discuss key nutrition challenges and explore actionable solutions. With malnutrition in all its forms on the rise, the event will examine how current research can shape effective public policies in the global nutrition landscape.
16:00–17:15 CET
Dialogue for the Child and Youth Call to Action for Nutrition
📍 Location: Citroen Park, Nutrition Solutions Village: Main Stage
🤝 Partners: World Vision International, SUN Civil Society Network, Nutrition Dialogues
📝 Participation: In-person
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A forum where young people from around the world will share their visions and commitments for better nutrition. It offers a platform to develop concrete recommendations for decisionmakers, with youth-led dialogues facilitated by SUN Civil Society Network Youth Coordinators.
27 March
19:00 – 21:10 CET
Nourish the Goals: Sustainable Development through Multisectoral Philanthropic Action
📍 Location: The Nework Lounges, Yachts de Paris
🤝 Partners: Rockefeller Foundation, Stronger Foundations for Nutrition & OECD Network of Foundations Working for Development, Child Nutrition Fund, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Eleanor Crook Foundation
📝 Participation: Online
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This side event will highlight the role of philanthropy in driving progress on nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions will explore how private funders are working alongside governments and development partners to unlock scaled and sustainable financing for good nutrition—saving lives today and building a stronger tomorrow.
11:30–12:00 CET
School Meals and Climate: Sustainable Solutions for the Future
📍 Location: Citroen Park, Nutrition Solutions Village: Workshop Area
🤝 Partners: Japan International Cooperation Agency
📝 Participation: In-person
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A screening and discussion during which will explore how school meals can adapt to climate change, featuring an example from Japan and prospects for more sustainable models.
28 March
10:30 - 12:00 CET
Maximizing the Nutrition Impact of School Meal Programmes
📍 Location: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel
🤝 Organizers: School Meals Coalition, HDSFS, FAO, UNICEF, WFP
📝 Participation: In person & online
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This side event will explore how nutrition standards in school meals can improve children's diets and contribute to sustainability. It will introduce a new global methodology for designing, implementing, and monitoring school meal nutrition standards. The event will also feature perspectives from governments and youth advocates, highlighting the need for stronger regulation, action-oriented food education, and a holistic approach to school food.
14:00 - 15:30 CET
Uniting Global Efforts to Ensure Nutritious School Meals for Every Child
📍 Location: Brazilian Embassy, Paris
🤝 Organizers: Brazil, RAES, Research Consortium, WFP CoE in Brazil
📝 Participation: In person
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Hosted by the Government of Brazil and the Research Consortium, this side event will bring together global initiatives working to ensure healthy school meals for all children. Discussions will feature key partners, including the School Meals Coalition, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, the WFP Centre of Excellence, and the LAC Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES).
Throughout the Summit
09:00-18:30
Best Practices in School Meals for Improving Children's Nutrition
📍 Location: Citroen Park, Nutrition Solutions Village
🤝 Partners: L’Institut Agro & Research Consortium
📝 Participation: In person
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The Research Consortium, together with L’Institut Agro Montpellier, is co-hosting a booth at the ‘Village des Solutions pour la Nutrition’ – a dedicated innovation and engagement space on the sidelines of the main N4G Summit. The booth will showcase key learnings from the Consortium’s ‘Good Examples’ Community of Practice’s case studies of the school meals programmes of all SMC member states, documenting best practices in public policies and programme implementation.
Impact stories
Evidence & Resources
Advocacy Brief: School Meals and Nutrition
Investing in nutrition during the first 8,000 days of life is one of the most effective ways to improve health, education, and economic outcomes. School meal programmes are a proven, cost-effective solution to ensure children get the nutrition they need to thrive—delivering lifelong benefits and driving progress toward SDG2 and broader development goals. This brief outlines key advocacy and communications opportunities for School Meals Coalition members and partners, and includes suggested messages, facts, and figures.
School Feeding and the Sustainable Development Goals: An Agenda to Combat Child Hunger, Boost Education, Transform Food Systems, and Strengthen Equity
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.
Ready to learn and thrive: School health and nutrition around the world
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
The Investment Case for School Health and Nutrition
Memo #4 to inform the Global Education Forum April 2022 Case for Investment Paper.
The paper makes the case for investing in school meals and complementary health programs, emphasizing their importance in improving education outcomes, addressing child malnutrition, and building human capital in low- and lower-middle-income countries. It also explores various financing mechanisms to scale up these programs in light of fiscal constraints caused by global crises like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
Prepared by two initiatives of the School Meals Coalition: the Research Consortium for School Health & Nutrition and the Sustainable Financing Initiative.