School Meals in Our words:
Choosing Our Future
Giselle child researcher and delegate, 15 years old, Brazil.
Hello, my name is Giselle, and I am representing the voices of more than 1,200 children from 13 countries. Together, we took part in a child-led research project called: School Meals in Our Words: Choosing Our Future.
We wanted the world to hear directly from us because who knows better what a school meal means than the children who eat them every day?
“School meals guarantee at least one meal a day. They help families like mine.”
Karla, a 13-year-old from the Dominican Republic
Who Gets a Meal
Almost 466 million children around the world receive school meals
For some, it is the only food they can count on. For many, it is the difference between being able to study with energy, or sitting in class too hungry to concentrate.
“School meals are important. They motivate children to come to school.”
Since 2020, about 80 million more children are now getting meals at school. That’s a huge step forward! But the truth is, far too many are still being left behind.
50%
primary school-aged children still aren’t reached.
... and for the children who do get one
For those children who do get a school meal, it’s important that you understand what it really means to us. That’s why we decided to put our voices together and share our stories. Over 1,200 children from 13 countries spoke about what school meals do for us, how they help us learn, give us energy, and let us dream about the future.
“Because of the meals, we stay at school the whole day.”
Our Voices
What We Found
Across all 13 countries, children had a lot to say about school meals and it wasn’t all the same. Many of us are grateful, but there’s also frustration that can’t be ignored.
About 6 in 10 children said their meals were good or very good, while nearly 4 in 10 felt disappointed. Common complaints? Portions that are too small, menus that are repeated too often, or food that just doesn’t taste right.
Many children think that they are rarely asked what they think about school meals, and even when they share their opinions, adults don’t always listen. Still, 7 out of 10 children say they want to be included in decisions about what they eat at school.
These numbers and voices show something important:
School meals aren’t just about food. They affect our health, our learning, and our dignity. And we the children want to help shape how they work.
“We want to be heard on school meals, because we know what we need. It's about our health and education.”
“Improving the quality and variety of school meals will fuel us to keep moving forward.”
Florecita, 16 year old, Guatemala.
A Call to Action From Children
One thing is clear: children know what we need, and they are ready to be part of the solution.
School meals are a proven way to fight hunger and support education. What is needed is more action from across society - including government, civil society, UN bodies, private sector and donors.
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