Impact of School Feeding Programs on Educational, Nutritional, and Agricultural Development Goals

The report examines the Food for Education (FFE) programs to establish their effectiveness in improving physical, health-related, cognitive, and school-related outcomes for school-aged vulnerable children, and to understand the factors behind the success or failure of a FFE program. The review also considers the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of FFE programs, including whether it is feasible to procure the food locally. The main finding is that the programs can have a positive effect on the micronutrient level, school enrollment and attendance of targeted children. The review did not find any consistent effects on cognitive outcomes, such as performance at school, and the prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting.