Indonesia, India Expand School Meal Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition

A global nutrition crisis is affecting both developing and wealthier nations, with malnutrition and obesity posing significant public health challenges. Comprehensive national nutrition initiatives, particularly school meal programs, are emerging as key solutions, potentially yielding high economic returns on investment. Indonesia's ambitious initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to 82.9 million people by 2029, addressing childhood stunting and its long-term consequences. In Ireland, all primary school children will be eligible for a daily hot meal by the end of 2025, although there are concerns about food quality. Meanwhile, advocates in Virginia are pushing for expanded access to free school meals after legislation to provide universal breakfast was not passed due to budget constraints. These initiatives highlight the importance of addressing food security and nutrition as essential components of public health and education.