UNESCO Report 2025: Nutrition in School Meals Boosts Health and Learning

A new UNESCO report, 'Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well,' emphasizes the crucial connection between school meals and the health and education of children. Released on March 27, 2025, to coincide with the Nutrition for Growth summit in France, the report highlights that while nearly half of the world's primary school students benefited from school meals in 2024, the nutritional quality of these meals remains a significant concern. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay advocates for balanced meals featuring fresh produce and educating children about healthy eating habits. The report indicates that in 2024, approximately 47% of primary school students globally had access to school meals. These meals have been shown to increase enrollment by 9% and attendance by 8%, while also improving learning outcomes. However, data from 2022 reveals that 27% of school meals were not designed with input from nutritionists. Furthermore, only 93 out of 187 evaluated countries have school food legislation, and just 65% of those regulate food sales within schools. UNESCO expresses concern over the lack of standards and monitoring, especially given the doubling of obesity rates among school-age children since 1990 and rising food insecurity. The report urges governments to prioritize fresh, minimally processed foods and integrate food education into school curricula. UNESCO is developing tools for governments and educators and supports the Coalition for School Meals to ensure nutritious meals for every child. Michelin-starred chef Daniel Humm, appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Food Education in 2024, emphasized the importance of cultivating healthy habits in schools.