Rockefeller Foundation Unveils $100 Million Initiative to Nourish 100 Million Children with School Meals
The Rockefeller Foundation has taken a bold step in addressing global nutrition insecurity by pledging $100 million to support nutritious school meals for children worldwide. Announced during the 2025 Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris, this five-year initiative aims to enhance school meal programs in over a dozen countries, including the United States, thereby targeting 100 million children who currently face nutrition challenges.
This initiative builds on the foundation's earlier efforts in Brazil and Kenya, aiming to promote healthier, locally sourced meals for kids. The plan is to partner with organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation to bolster food systems in these countries, improve meal quality, and mobilize financial investments.
The need for this initiative is urgent: currently, more than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet. According to the WFP, an alarming 153 million children go to bed hungry every night, a statistic that The Rockefeller Foundation is determined to change. By enhancing school meal programs, they aim to not only provide sustenance but also improve educational outcomes, especially for girls, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
To ensure the program's success, The Rockefeller Foundation has set out three core objectives:
1. Improving Nutritional Quality: The commitment will help increase the use of nutrient-rich, locally grown crops in school meals. The foundation plans to incorporate indigenous and resilient crops like millet, teff, and sorghum into the meals offered to children, thereby enhancing their nutritional intake.
2. Supporting Local Economies: The initiative aims to foster economic growth by creating stable markets for school meal programs. This effort includes working with local farmers and investors to develop a supply chain that connects agricultural production directly to schools. For instance, Brazil has successfully sourced 30% of its school meals from local family farms, showcasing the potential benefits of such practices.
3. Mobilizing Financial Support: The Rockefeller Foundation will collaborate with other organizations to generate financing for school meal programs. By uniting various sectors, including NGOs, private sector companies, and governments, they hope to create a robust financial framework that empowers schools and communities.
At the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that good nutrition is vital not only for health but also for environmental sustainability. The Rockefeller Foundation's commitment aligns closely with this sentiment. Dr. Rajiv Shah, the foundation's president, stated that addressing children's hunger requires innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritize local food sourcing.
Research has shown that school meal programs not only improve nutrition but also enhance educational performance and economic prospects in communities. For every 100,000 school meals served, approximately 1,377 jobs are created, illustrating the far-reaching impact of such initiatives. Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation, highlighted that their previous investments in global nutrition have totaled over $220 million, benefitting communities and economies globally.
This substantial pledge not only targets immediate nutritional needs but also aims for a comprehensive approach that incorporates ecological sustainability, food security, and enhanced educational outcomes. As a part of their broader commitment, The Rockefeller Foundation also supports initiatives such as 'Food is Medicine' solutions within the United States, highlighting their multifaceted approach to solving nutritional challenges.
The overarching goal of this initiative is not just to feed children but to fuel opportunities for healthier futures, making investments in their development and the vitality of our planet. By intertwining community health and economic prospects, The Rockefeller Foundation and its partners are well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of children worldwide. This commitment exemplifies their dedication to fostering a healthier and more secure food system for present and future generations.
This initiative builds on the foundation's earlier efforts in Brazil and Kenya, aiming to promote healthier, locally sourced meals for kids. The plan is to partner with organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation to bolster food systems in these countries, improve meal quality, and mobilize financial investments.
The need for this initiative is urgent: currently, more than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet. According to the WFP, an alarming 153 million children go to bed hungry every night, a statistic that The Rockefeller Foundation is determined to change. By enhancing school meal programs, they aim to not only provide sustenance but also improve educational outcomes, especially for girls, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
To ensure the program's success, The Rockefeller Foundation has set out three core objectives:
1. Improving Nutritional Quality: The commitment will help increase the use of nutrient-rich, locally grown crops in school meals. The foundation plans to incorporate indigenous and resilient crops like millet, teff, and sorghum into the meals offered to children, thereby enhancing their nutritional intake.
2. Supporting Local Economies: The initiative aims to foster economic growth by creating stable markets for school meal programs. This effort includes working with local farmers and investors to develop a supply chain that connects agricultural production directly to schools. For instance, Brazil has successfully sourced 30% of its school meals from local family farms, showcasing the potential benefits of such practices.
3. Mobilizing Financial Support: The Rockefeller Foundation will collaborate with other organizations to generate financing for school meal programs. By uniting various sectors, including NGOs, private sector companies, and governments, they hope to create a robust financial framework that empowers schools and communities.
At the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that good nutrition is vital not only for health but also for environmental sustainability. The Rockefeller Foundation's commitment aligns closely with this sentiment. Dr. Rajiv Shah, the foundation's president, stated that addressing children's hunger requires innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritize local food sourcing.
Research has shown that school meal programs not only improve nutrition but also enhance educational performance and economic prospects in communities. For every 100,000 school meals served, approximately 1,377 jobs are created, illustrating the far-reaching impact of such initiatives. Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation, highlighted that their previous investments in global nutrition have totaled over $220 million, benefitting communities and economies globally.
This substantial pledge not only targets immediate nutritional needs but also aims for a comprehensive approach that incorporates ecological sustainability, food security, and enhanced educational outcomes. As a part of their broader commitment, The Rockefeller Foundation also supports initiatives such as 'Food is Medicine' solutions within the United States, highlighting their multifaceted approach to solving nutritional challenges.
The overarching goal of this initiative is not just to feed children but to fuel opportunities for healthier futures, making investments in their development and the vitality of our planet. By intertwining community health and economic prospects, The Rockefeller Foundation and its partners are well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions of children worldwide. This commitment exemplifies their dedication to fostering a healthier and more secure food system for present and future generations.
Topics Health）
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