A groundbreaking modelling study, spearheaded by a professor at University College London, reveals the profound potential of universal school meal programs to combat global malnutrition, reduce diet-related mortality, and significantly mitigate the environmental footprint of food systems. Currently, only one in five children worldwide benefits from a school meal. The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, projects that by expanding these programs to encompass all children by 2030, substantial improvements in dietary health, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency can be achieved on a global, regional, and national scale.
The study’s authors highlight that global food systems are a major contributor to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for one-third of the total, while simultaneously exacerbating the dual crises of rising malnutrition and diet-related diseases. This sobering reality underscores the urgent need for transformative interventions. The scale of existing national school meal programs is already significant, feeding 466 million children daily, which represents a substantial 70 percent of the global public food system. This vast reach provides governments with an unparalleled opportunity to enact meaningful change.
Unlocking Substantial Global Benefits
The comprehensive modelling assessments indicate that extending school meal programs universally by 2030 could lead to a quarter reduction in the prevalence of undernourishment among food-insecure populations. Furthermore, the research determined that the provision of an additional meal at school could prevent over one million cases of non-communicable diseases annually, assuming that the improved dietary habits fostered in childhood are at least partially sustained into adulthood.
A critical finding of the study relates to the environmental impact. If the composition of school meals adheres to recommendations for healthy and sustainable diets, and if food waste is effectively reduced, the food-related environmental effects could be halved. This dual benefit of improved health outcomes and reduced ecological damage positions school meals as a powerful tool for sustainable development.
Economic Considerations and Returns on Investment
While the expansion of school meal programs would inevitably incur additional costs, the study quantifies these at a range of 0.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in high-income countries to 1.0% of GDP in low-income countries. However, the research strongly suggests that these upfront investments are more than offset by the long-term savings. The authors conclude that reductions in the external costs associated with climate change damages and the economic burden of illness significantly compensate for the expenditure required to provide meals aligned with health and sustainability guidelines.
Professor Marco Springmann, the lead modeller for the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition and a Professorial Research Fellow in Climate Change, Food Systems and Health at University College London’s Institute for Global Health, emphasized the economic viability of these programs. "Our modelling shows that healthy and sustainable school meals can generate substantial health and environmental gains in every region of the world," he stated. "Importantly, the climate and health savings that result from healthier diets and lower emissions can help offset the costs of expanding school meal programs. The evidence is clear: investing in school meals is both effective and economically sound."
A Strategic Investment in the Future
The findings of this pivotal study are part of a broader collection of six papers published in The Lancet Planetary Health by members of the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition, an independent research initiative of the School Meals Coalition. Collectively, these papers present a compelling case for well-designed school meal programs as a strategic investment in a healthier, more sustainable future. By integrating modelling, case studies, and interdisciplinary evidence, the collection demonstrates how planet-friendly school meal programs can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously.
The research consortium’s work has underscored that universal school meal coverage can make significant contributions to children’s health, enhance the food security of their families, and promote the sustainability of global food systems. However, the authors also stressed the necessity of dedicated policy and financial support to bridge the existing gaps in school meal coverage, particularly in low-income nations where the need is often greatest.
Transforming Food Systems: A Four-Pillar Framework
To guide governments in transitioning towards planet-friendly school meal programs, the Research Consortium has developed a conceptual framework designed to drive systemic food system transformation at scale. This framework is structured around four essential pillars:
- Healthy, Diverse, Culturally Relevant School Menus: Ensuring meals are nutritious, varied, and reflect local culinary traditions to promote both health and cultural acceptance.
- Clean, Modern Cooking Methods: Adopting energy-efficient and environmentally sound cooking technologies to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
- Reduced Food Loss and Waste: Implementing strategies across the entire food supply chain, from procurement to consumption, to minimize waste.
- Holistic Food Education: Integrating comprehensive food education programs that connect children, families, and communities to the origins and importance of healthy, sustainable food choices.
These pillars, when embedded within public procurement rules, nutrition standards, and policy reforms, offer governments a clear pathway to improve child health and food literacy, bolster agrobiodiversity, stimulate local and ecological production, and build climate-resilient food systems.
Dr. Silvia Pastorino, Diets & Planetary Health Lead for the Research Consortium and curator of the Lancet Planetary Health collection, emphasized the multifaceted impact of school meals. "This framework highlights how school meals are not just a nutrition program. They are a powerful lever for transforming food systems," she explained. "When meals are healthy, sustainable, and linked to food education, they improve children’s wellbeing today and foster long-term sustainable habits, while helping countries protect biodiversity, reduce emissions, and build resilient communities. Few interventions deliver such wide-ranging, long-lasting benefits."
The framework builds upon insights previously published in the Research Consortium’s 2023 White Paper, "School Meals and Food Systems," which involved 164 authors from 87 organizations worldwide, also coordinated by Dr. Pastorino.
Advancing the Agenda: Toolkit and Global Collaboration
In a concerted effort to support governments in implementing these transformative changes, the Research Consortium is actively developing a Planet-Friendly School Meals Toolkit. This toolkit, designed in partnership with international organizations and government bodies, will assist countries in assessing the costs, environmental impacts, and health benefits associated with shifting to sustainable school meal models. Initial results from pilot projects co-created with partners in Kenya and Rwanda are anticipated in the spring of 2026, offering practical guidance and evidence for wider adoption.
The importance of youth engagement and forward-looking action was echoed at the recent World Food Forum, hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu praised the determination of young people, urging them to lead the charge towards a better future. "When I look at this generation, I see one that refuses to accept limits. I ask you not just to participate, but to lead. Speak boldly. Listen generously. Challenge each other, and lift each other up," he stated.
The World Food Forum, held under the theme "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future," also marked FAO’s 80th anniversary. It underscored the critical need for intergenerational, cross-sectoral, and regional collaboration to drive progress towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems. This theme aligns perfectly with FAO’s overarching vision of "The Four Betters" – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – which serves as the guiding framework for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Funding and Support for Research
The Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition’s vital work is made possible through the generous support of a diverse range of organizations. Financial contributions have been received from the International Development Research Centre; Dubai Cares; the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany; the International Development Research Centre, Canada; the Novo Nordisk Foundation; the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; the Rockefeller Foundation; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the National Institutes of Health. Furthermore, the United Nations World Food Programme provides crucial support.
In-kind contributions, essential for the consortium’s operations and reach, are provided by the Academy of Nutritionists and Dietetics, recognized as the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the governments of Brazil, Finland, and France, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Bank Group also offer significant in-kind support. The consortium operates with a commitment to transparency and declares no competing interests among its authors.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, presenting a compelling argument for governments worldwide to prioritize and invest in universal, healthy, and sustainable school meal programs. This investment is not merely an expenditure; it is a strategic deployment of resources that promises to yield profound benefits for public health, environmental preservation, and the economic well-being of nations for generations to come. The detailed modelling and the proposed framework provide a robust roadmap for achieving these ambitious yet attainable goals.
