Can School Meals Change the Future of Economy and Health?! Learning from Brazil, Sweden, and Scotland: The Growth Equation Created by School Meals

According to a new report by UCL (September 2025), school meals can serve as a lever for industrial policy that transforms not only children's nutrition and education but also the local economy and sustainable food systems. Globally, school meals reach 466 million people, constituting a massive market with approximately $84 billion spent annually. By shifting from the lowest-cost bidding to "mission-oriented public procurement" that incorporates requirements for health, sustainability, local sourcing, and innovation, there are potential ripple effects such as increased participation of farmers and small businesses, job creation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In Brazil, a system that procures more than 30% of the school meal budget from family farmers has boosted production and income, while Sweden and Scotland aim to reduce educational and health disparities and revitalize local areas through institutional design. On the other hand, challenges such as funding shortages, quality issues, and fragmented procurement remain, making nationwide collaboration, the creation of transparent standards, and the involvement of students and on-site staff key to success.