School meals are the most nutrient-dense food source for American schoolchildren, according to research, thanks in large part to the efforts of school nutrition professionals, parents, school meal partners, the food industry, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance food recipes today for school kids. Countries all across the world offer different school lunch programs, which collectively make up one of the largest social safety nets in the world. An estimated 380 million pupils are fed at various institutions worldwide. The extent of school lunch coverage varies by country, and as of 2020,
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
There are several objectives and benefits to school meals. By providing children with emergency food and preparing them to become healthy, productive adults, school lunches help end the cycle of hunger and poverty in underdeveloped countries. They can address micronutrient deficiencies by offering a range of diets or including fortified foods. They also encourage children to go to school and complete their education, and they can be particularly useful in removing barriers to education for girls.
SIGNIFICANCE
School meals not only guarantee that kids receive the nutrition they need to learn during the day, but they are also crucial for the health and wellness of students, especially those from low-income households. It has been demonstrated that free or reduced school lunches reduce obesity, food poverty, and poor health. The new school lunch nutrition requirements are also helping pupils choose and eat more fruits and vegetables.
INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION
Millions of children—particularly girls—don’t go to school because their families depend on them to help out in the fields or with household chores. They are a multifaceted game changer that improves children’s nutrition, health, and education. In a broader sense, they support economies, food systems, and an essential safety net, which benefits the entire community. WFP has more than 60 years of experience helping governments with their health and school meal programs, having worked with more than 100 nations to create sustainable national school meal programs. WFP’s ultimate goal is to empower national governments to lead these food recipes today initiatives, and 50 countries have already achieved this.