School meal programs are among the most powerful tools countries have to improve children’s wellbeing and strengthen local economies. Around the world, governments recognize school meals not just a social welfare measure, instead they are a strategic investment in communities and a lever for addressing climate challenges.
South Korea offers one of the clearest examples of what is possible. In just two decades, the country has transformed a limited, need-based service into a universal, rights-based school meal system that now reaches more than 5.26 million students each day. Its Universal Free Environment-Friendly School Lunch Program (UFEF) combines high-quality nutrition with a commitment to social inclusion and environmentally responsible procurement. Strong legal frameworks, dedicated nutrition professionals, transparent purchasing systems, on-site meal preparation, and sustained public investment underpin its success.
South Korea’s experience demonstrates how school meals can unlock multisectoral benefits, and offers valuable lessons for countries seeking to do the same.
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