A new impact assessment from SchoolFood4Change demonstrates that transforming school food systems is one of the smartest investments public authorities can make. The report found that every €1 invested in improving school food systems generates at least €3.63 in health, social and environmental benefits, highlighting the far-reaching value of school meal programmes that prioritise healthy diets, sustainability and food education.
The findings show that health, social and climate outcomes go hand in hand. Health benefits stem from improved access to nutritious meals and increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes among children, helping establish healthier eating habits that can last a lifetime. Social benefits include stronger food literacy, greater inclusion and support for local and regional food economies through more sustainable procurement practices. Together, these outcomes create substantial value for communities while strengthening the role of schools as drivers of positive food system change.
The assessment also identifies greenhouse gas emissions as the largest environmental impact associated with school meals, and therefore the area with the greatest potential for improvement. By serving more plant-rich meals, reducing food waste and sourcing food more sustainably, participating schools significantly reduced the climate footprint of their meal services. The research and real-life interventions from SchoolFood4Change demonstrate that improving the quality of school food can simultaneously support children’s health, strengthen communities and accelerate progress towards climate goals.
As governments and cities seek solutions that deliver multiple public benefits from limited budgets, the SchoolFood4Change experience offers compelling evidence that sustainable school food is a high-value investment. The results show that healthier diets, stronger communities and lower emissions are not competing objectives but mutually reinforcing outcomes that can be achieved through a single, integrated approach to school food. Bringing together 43 partners from across Europe and coordinated by ICLEI Europe, SchoolFood4Change has demonstrated how collaboration between cities, schools, policymakers, researchers and food practitioners can drive systemic change at scale.
Want to see what school food transformation looks like in practice? Watch our three-minute video showcasing how cities, schools and communities across Europe are turning ambitious ideas into healthier meals, happier children and more sustainable food systems.