The number of children receiving school meals through government programs has increased by 20% since 2020, according to the latest edition of the Wfp Lighthouse biennial report, “The School State Feeding Worldwide.”
Now, nearly 80 million additional children can enjoy nutritious meals in school, bringing the world total to around 466 million.
Beyond health and diet, national programs can benefit employment, agriculture, and other sectors.
“School meals are much more than just nutrients – as important as that. For vulnerable children who receive them, they are a way out of poverty and into a new world of learning and opportunity,” said Ms. McCain.
“They are proven to be one of the most intelligent and profitable investments that any nation can make to improve the long-term health, education, and economic prosperity of future generations,” she added.
The increase in the number of children receiving school meals comes from the expansion of these international programs, particularly by countries that are part of the coalition of school meals, a network led by more than 100 governments with PAM as a secretariat.
Global funding for school meals has more than doubled, going from $43 billion in 2020 to $84 billion last year. Africa leads with a sharp increase of 20 million additional children on the continent now fed through national programs, but domestic financing remains low in low-income countries.
“The sharp increase in school meal programs funded nationally is a powerful sign of what is possible, even in difficult times. But in low-income countries, where needs are the most important, progress remains in danger while world aid and domestic resources are insufficient,” said Carmen Burbano, director of school meals at WFP.
Children who are hungry may not go to school or may struggle to concentrate even if they do, according to the report. Providing meals at school can both encourage attendance and help students remain engaged and more easily absorb educational material.
The report revealed that school meals are a much more effective way to improve the quality of education compared to other popular programs and policies such as teacher training and technological contributions.
Nutritional supply has also been associated with increased attention time, higher cognitive function, and better attendance.
“It is only now that we really recognize that the well-being of schoolchildren and adolescents is the key to their learning capacity,” said Professor Donald Bundy, co-editorial for the report.
The report estimates that delivering school meals to 466 million children generates approximately 7.4 million cooking jobs worldwide, with additional employment in logistics, agriculture, and supply chains.
At the national level, school meal programs generally generate around 1,500 jobs per 100,000 children.
Preliminary results in some African countries suggest that programs are cost-effective in terms of gains obtained in the education, health, and nutrition sectors. In Malawi, for example, each $1 invested has brought economic advantages ranging from $2 to $18 depending on the district.
The local purchase of school food can also create reliable and predictable markets for small operators and family farmers, ultimately encouraging the diversification of crops, stimulating rural economies, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
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