The Rockefeller Foundation Invests in Regenerative School Meals for Global Nutrition Security
The Rockefeller Foundation is spearheading a meaningful initiative to combat rising global nutrition insecurity by investing in regenerative agriculture and expanding school meal programs worldwide. Recognizing the interconnectedness of healthy food, healthy ecosystems, and thriving communities, the foundation is committing $100 million over the next five years to support over a dozen countries in their efforts to provide nutritious, regeneratively-sourced meals to 100 million children.
This new commitment builds upon the foundation’s existing work in Brazil and Kenya and represents a continuation of its dedication to global nutrition. Over the past five years, The Rockefeller Foundation has already allocated more than $220 million to initiatives focused on improving nutrition while simultaneously benefiting the planet.
The initiative emphasizes regenerative agriculture - farming practices that actively restore soil and water resources, unlike conventional methods that frequently enough deplete them. This approach is seen as crucial for addressing challenges like declining crop yields, diminishing nutritional value in food, and deteriorating soil fertility. By prioritizing regeneratively-sourced ingredients for school meals, the program aims to restore ecosystems and ensure long-term food security.
A recent joint statement signals a push to integrate regenerative school meals into national climate plans, potentially unlocking further support and investment. The program has already garnered endorsements from key global leaders.
H.E. farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education for Somalia, highlighted the importance of school meals as a foundation for education, nutrition, and economic progress, emphasizing their role in providing dignity and chance for Somali children. H.E. Jeppe Bruus Christensen, Denmark’s Minister for Green Transition, stressed the need for nutritious, locally-produced, and regenerative meals. Rania Dagash-Kamara, Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Resource Mobilization at the World Food Program, underscored the broader benefits of school meals, noting their potential to nourish ecosystems, empower farmers, and strengthen communities in the face of increasing climate challenges.
The Rockefeller Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on collaborative partnerships in science, technology, and innovation, aims to promote human well-being and reverse the climate crisis through systemic change in areas like food, health, energy, and finance.Further facts about the foundation and its initiatives can be found at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and on social media platforms X (@RockefellerFdn) and LinkedIn (@the-rockefeller-foundation).
