One of the most meaningful parts of my time leading federal nutrition programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Biden Administration was visiting schools and joining children for lunch. Talking and laughing with six-year-olds over a meal was a welcome break from conference rooms – and a powerful reminder that school meals are about more than food.

School meals may feel ordinary, but their impact on global health and nutrition is anything but. Across the globe, they reach hundreds of millions of children. And when implemented with strong nutrition standards, they are a uniquely powerful policy lever to improve food and nutrition security while supporting better health and educational outcomes. 

Yet school meals still reach only about a quarter of school-aged kids worldwide. And even children who receive these meals often miss out on their full potential benefits, as many programs are not designed to tackle both child undernourishment and diet quality. 

Recognizing this, the World Health Organization recently issued new guidance to strengthen school feeding programs. Their report includes evidence-based recommendations to help governments create healthier school food environments, including setting nutrition standards and using “nudges” – like placement or presentation – to encourage healthier choices.

Even more important, there are also impressive efforts to reach more children with this critical support. For instance, the School Meals Coalition, a multilateral initiative, is working to scale up programs globally to ensure every child can receive a healthy, nutritious school meal by 2030. Together, these efforts serve as a reminder that school meals are more than food on a tray – when done well, they can shape healthier, brighter futures for children everywhere.

Stacy Dean
Carbonell Family Executive Director
Global Food Institute

How are residents in D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 experiencing food access – and how does it shape everyday health? A community-academic partnership, co-led by a Ward 7 and 8 Community Advisory Board, Global Food Institute, Center for Community Resilience, and Institute for Socioeconomic Opportunity, is working to answer that question. Supported by Novo Nordisk through The Interrupt, the project pairs data with lived experience to identify challenges and shape solutions with the community.

Join us on Wednesday, April 15th for a live recording of Forked, the podcast from the Food and Environmental Reporting Network. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Theodore Ross and Helena Bottemiller Evich of FoodFix, the conversation will explore policies shaping agriculture, nutrition, and the future of our food system.

The event will kick off this year’s Planet Forward Summit and include special guests, audience Q&A, and a reception to follow. Registration details coming soon.

GFI and the Aspen Institute’s Food and Society Program have launched a multi-year partnership connecting food system changemakers with the GW community. Meet three Aspen Fellows from Chicago advancing a more equitable food future:

National Food Policy Conference. Registration is still open for the Consumer Federation of America’s conference on March 3–4. Three GFI affiliate faculty will lead sessions: Jane Black, food journalist, on SNAP waivers; Katya Cronin on Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food substances; and Barbara Kowalcyk on foodborne illness risk.

Youth Filmmaker Field to Film Festival. From February 28 to March 12, don’t miss Groundswell International’s annual festival showcasing short films by youth from rural smallholder farming communities abroad. This year’s films highlight the vital role of women farmers and the next generation of leaders driving change.

St. Patrick’s Day Sustainability Celebration. On March 17, the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future will host a day-long event exploring solutions to today’s sustainability challenges. The day includes workshops, panels, a reception, and more – including a GFI pesto cooking demonstration.

A Recipe for Truth. In recognition of National Nutrition Month, this March 30 event in Washington, DC will examine nutrition mis- and disinformation and its impact on public health and policy. A panel of experts will explore how misinformation spreads and how to respond, followed by a Q&A and networking luncheon. Registration is free but required.

National Grocery Retail for All Summit. On June 18, GFI will join the Food Systems for the Future Institute in Chicago for the second National Grocery Retail for All Summit. The event will showcase store models, financing tools, and policies that keep shelves stocked and doors open, and accelerate solutions for every community to have access to nutritious food. Registration opens in March.

The Right to Food. The World Food Prize Foundation has launched a new podcast – with CEO and former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack – examining food security as a fundamental human right. The first episode explores strategies for tackling hunger in the U.S. with Feeding America’s CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. World Food Prize Foundation

A Food Security Roadmap. New Jersey has released its first three-year statewide food security plan. Developed with residents and partners, it outlines strategies to improve access and availability, and calls on communities, policymakers, and organizations to work together for lasting food security. New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate 

Unearthing the Future of Food. Food nourishes and connects us. A new BBC video series highlights people and organizations shaping how we grow, share, and experience food. Featured stories include how the Chef Ann Foundation is transforming school meals and the vital role of family farms. BBC

Test Your SNAP Smarts. Since the start of the year, five states have banned soda and other foods from SNAP, which serves more than 40 million people in the US. Each state's restrictions are different and often quite confusing. Learn more with this interactive quiz. Politico

Global Water Bankruptcy Threatens Food Production. A new report warns that shrinking and degraded water systems are making irrigation less reliable, putting farmers under pressure and threatening global food supplies. Water‑scarce regions export less food, creating ripple effects through global supply chains and driving up prices. United Nations University

Food Justice for Kids. Newman’s Own Foundation is awarding up to $100K to nonprofits, tribes, schools, and school districts transforming how children experience food. The prize supports efforts that make nutritious, culturally relevant meals accessible and help kids learn about healthy food in their communities. Newman’s Own Foundation

Ritual and shared meals can transform a group of people into a community. Professor Arielle Levites, GFI affiliate faculty and Managing Director of the Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education, draws on her research to reveal how Shabbat dinners foster connection, conversation, and belonging.

We want to lift up your work and share information about events, opportunities to collaborate or whatever you think is important to share. Email us at globalfoodinstitute@gwu.edu. 

Do you know someone who would be interested in this newsletter? Forward to a friend!