Free school meals, provided by governments worldwide, could be a powerful tool to curb hunger and promote sustainable food systems, according to a new study by University College London (UCL) researchers.
The report, titled A Mission-Oriented Approach to School Meals, was developed by the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. It was created in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme. It argues that public investment in school meals can drive multiple benefits. These benefits range from child nutrition and education to greener farming. They also contribute to stronger local economies.
School Meals: A Vast Untapped Opportunity
School meals represent one of the largest social safety nets globally, reaching an estimated 466 million children. Governments spend about $84 billion (£62.2 billion) annually on these programmes.
Researchers say this spending could be strategically directed to improve nutrition, strengthen smallholder farming, and align with climate and sustainability goals. Currently, procurement practices often reinforce the global food system’s environmental impact, which is responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water stress.
Lessons from Scotland, Sweden, and Brazil
The report draws on case studies from three countries:
- Scotland has expanded free school meals since 2007 to reach most primary school children. The £238 million programme has reduced inequalities but could better link procurement with local farming and climate goals.
- Sweden has used a mission-oriented approach to encourage innovation in school meal design. It engages municipalities and students to create healthier, sustainable menus. However, researchers stress the importance of national coordination.
- Brazil operates one of the world’s largest programmes, serving 50 million meals daily. By requiring at least 30% of procurement from family farmers, the programme has boosted local agriculture. It has created jobs and advanced sustainable practices.
Shaping Markets Through Public Procurement
Lead author Professor Mariana Mazzucato said school meals represent an opportunity to use government purchasing power for the public good.
“By creating a market for meals that are healthy, sustainable, and tasty, well-designed procurement can transform local economies and reshape supply chains,” she said. “This should be seen as an investment, not a cost.”
Co-author Sarah Doyle added that while school meals are widely accepted as beneficial for children, their potential to transform food systems is under-recognised.
“The global food system is failing to feed billions while driving climate change and ecological decline. School meal procurement can be a tool of green industrial strategy,” she said.
The Road Ahead
The researchers recommend that governments redesign school meal policies to:
- Prioritise nutrition, sustainability, and inclusivity in procurement
- Strengthen links with local and family-run farms
- Use purchasing strategies to drive innovation in food systems
- Integrate school meals into broader industrial and climate strategies
With hundreds of millions of children reached daily, UCL researchers say the global school meals system could become a cornerstone in tackling hunger, improving health, and advancing sustainable development.