Strategic priorities for action across eight school feeding landscapes

This report aims to identify opportunities for scaling sustainable school feeding programmes across East and Southern Africa. Covering eight countries ( Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), the analysis highlights strong government commitment through policy frameworks but also identifies persistent gaps in financing, coordination, infrastructure, and meal quality. School feeding programmes remain highly donor-dependent, with insufficient domestic investment in critical systems such as WASH, clean energy, and food safety. At the same time, the report underscores the potential of school feeding to go beyond a social safety net and act as a catalyst for food systems transformation, local economic development, improved nutrition, and climate resilience through home-grown approaches.

To unlock this potential, the report outlines six strategic priorities, including strengthening governance, advancing sustainable financing, reinforcing agri-food linkages, investing in infrastructure, improving nutrition outcomes, and fostering youth employment. SNV plays a catalytic role in advancing this agenda by convening governments, communities, private sector actors, and knowledge institutions to co-create locally led solutions. Through its cross-sectoral expertise and partnerships, SNV supports integrated approaches that connect school feeding with agriculture, energy, and water systems, helping mobilise financing and scale sustainable models that benefit both children and local economies.

please contact Monique Beun, Global Lead Food Security and Nutrition
email: mbeun@snv.org