School feeding in low-income countries

This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The World Bank defines school feeding programs as "targeted social safety nets that provide both educational and health benefits to the most vulnerable children, thereby increasing enrollment rates, reducing absenteeism, and improving food security at the household level."^[1] In addition to enhancing access to food, these programs positively affect nutritional status, gender equity, and educational outcomes, contributing to the overall advancement of country and human development.

While school meals are provided by governments of most high and middle-income countries around the globe. The children who may benefit the most from school feeding programs are in low-income countries that do not have government-provided school meals. School feeding in low-income countries often starts through funding by international organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme or the World Bank, or national governments through programs such as the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. However, some governments have first started school-feeding programs and then requested the help of these organizations and programs. Additionally, many countries have "graduated" from their dependency on foreign assistance by reshaping their school feeding programs to be country-led and self-supported.^[2]

As of 2020, school feeding programs were present in at least 22 low-income countries and 33 lower middle-income countries. However, these programs often have limited reach within each country, and the overall school feeding coverage rate (the share of school-age children receiving food through these programs) tends to increase with higher income levels. In low-income countries, 10% of children benefit from school feeding programs, compared to 27% in lower middle-income countries, 30% in upper middle-income countries, and 47% in high-income countries.^[3] Although school feeding programs are widespread, they can differ significantly in their design, implementation, and evaluation. Consequently, literature reviews and studies frequently focus on a small number of countries, as comparing or assessing programs across different contexts can be challenging.