Environmental sustainability and equity in global school meal programs (SMPs): evidence from the global child nutrition foundation surveys (2019–2024)

Abstract

School meal programs are major public investments in child nutrition and social protection and are increasingly viewed as platforms for sustainable food systems. This study analyzed secondary data from Global Child Nutrition Foundation surveys (2019–2024) to assess environmental sustainability practices in school meal programs worldwide. Over half of programs used plant-based menus (55.6%), highest in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with use declining as income increased. Food waste reduction strategies were implemented in 52.5% of programs, while local sourcing was least common (11%). Global school meal coverage declined by 29% between 2021 and 2024, highlighting uneven progress in sustainability integration.