New York: School meals have become a pivotal pathway out of poverty, opening doors to education and opportunity, as emphasized by World Food Programme (WFP) executive director Cindy McCain. The recent edition of the WFP's flagship biennial report, "The State of School Feeding Worldwide," reveals a 20 percent increase in children receiving school meals through government-led initiatives since 2020. This expansion has enabled nearly 80 million more children to access nutritious meals at school, raising the global total to approximately 466 million.

According to United Nations, this increase is largely attributed to the international expansion of school meal programmes, particularly in countries involved in the School Meals Coalition—a network of over 100 governments with the WFP as its secretariat. The report highlights that beyond improving health and diet, these national programmes have significant benefits for employment, agriculture, and other sectors. Global funding for school meals has more than doubled, soaring from $43 billion in 2020 to $84 billion last year. Africa, leading the charge, has seen an additional 20 million children fed through national programmes, although domestic funding remains a challenge in low-income countries.

Carmen Burbano, director of school meals at WFP, noted, "The surge in nationally funded school meal programmes is a powerful sign of what’s possible, even in challenging times. But in low-income countries, where needs are greatest, progress remains at risk as global aid shifts and domestic resources fall short."

The report further underscores how providing meals at school can incentivize attendance and help students remain engaged, thereby improving learning outcomes. School meals are found to be more effective in enhancing education quality compared to other initiatives like teacher training and tech inputs. A nutritious diet is linked to increased attention spans, higher cognitive function, and improved attendance.

Professor Donald Bundy, co-editorial lead for the report, highlighted the importance of student wellbeing, stating, "It’s only now that we’re really recognizing that the wellbeing of school children and adolescents is key to their learning ability."

Moreover, the report estimates that school meals for 466 million children generate around 7.4 million cooking jobs globally, with additional employment across logistics, farming, and supply chains. On a national level, these programmes typically create approximately 1,500 jobs for every 100,000 children. Preliminary findings in African countries suggest these programmes are cost-beneficial, with economic benefits ranging from $2 to $18 for every $1 invested, as seen in Malawi.

Additionally, local procurement of school food can establish reliable markets for smallholders and family farmers, encouraging crop diversification, boosting rural economies, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.