“[C]hildren’s hands are the ones that will change the world, and we must teach those hands to work towards healthy eating.” writes David, who is a teacher at the Bertomeu Llorens i Royo school (CEIP Bertomeu Llorens i Royo), in Valencia (Spain) as he submits the photo for the SchoolFood4Change campaign celebrating World Food Day 2025.
Since the project launched in January 2022, the 37 SchoolFood4Change partner and replication cities have been working closely with their schools to implement the Whole School Food Approach, a holistic concept to improve both the school meals served and pupils’ food education. As of today (October 2025), through these collaborations at the local level, more than 3,700 schools in 22 countries around the world have been reached. And nearly 400 schools have already been awarded a bronze, silver or gold certificate (read more here, for example) for their exemplary commitment.
On this year’s World Food Day (#WorldFoodDay), SchoolFood4Change is honouring its schools, where children, youth, teachers, cooks, canteen staff and parents work – in line with this year’s motto – “hand in hand for better food and a better future“.
Schools have established farm-to-school partnerships so that pupils can learn directly from farmers and see where their food comes from. Several of them participated in our Health Impact Assessment, enabling scientists to use concrete data to make even more accurate predictions in the future about the extent to which healthier and more sustainable school meals contribute to children’s health. Among many other things, the SF4C schools organised Canteen Days; set up school gardens; changed curricula to incorporate workshops on cooking, growing food and healthy eating and food; reduced their food waste by improving their canteen menu; and supported the establishment of student councils to give students a voice in the change process.
As we can learn a lot from our SchoolFood4Change schools, we asked them in view of this year’s World Food Day: What comes to mind when you think about this year’s theme ‘Hand in hand for a better food and a better future.’? They sent us photos and comments in response. Let’s have a look!
Birgit Sagar, teacher at the Ristiku Põhikool middle school in Tallinn, Estonia: “This photo symbolizes the unity that the children had when they were learning about agricultural machinery. As a united team, they visited the farm and learned about farming.” Follow the school on Instagram here!
Hana, teacher at the Children and Youth Center (Centrum dětí a mládeže) in Česká Kamenice, Czech Republic: “Children learn that superfoods are all around us, you just have to reach out and grab them.” (CZ: “Děti se učí, že super potraviny jsou všude kolem nás, stačí si pro ně jen sáhnout.”) Follow them on Instagram here!
Liina, teacher at Randvere Kool (school) in Viimsi, Estonia: “This photo was taken during a workshop led by a parent of Ukrainian roots, who didn’t just come to school to show how to make dumplings, but rolled up their sleeves and cooked together with the students.”
Nils, teacher at the Pee & Nel elementary school in Leuven, Belgium: “The photo shows schoolchildren taking part in a cooking workshop (Kookworkshop).” Follow them on Facebook!
Jacqueline, teacher at the Volksschule Klenaugasse elementary school in Vienna, Austria: “This photo was taken during last week’s cooking session with class 4B. Together, the fourth graders prepared four delicious spreads (avocado spread, chive spread, vegetable spread and Liptauer) for a healthy mid-morning snack.” Follow their activities on Instagram here!
Mgr. Ludmila Jirotková, Director of the Dobroměřice Nursery School (Mateřská škola Dobroměřice), in Dobroměřice-Louny, Czechia: “The fisherman catches, the farmer grows, the children carry, the cook works her magic… and at the end, a delicious lunch awaits. Together, we discover the journey of food and learn to appreciate every step. This is what “hand in hand for better food and a better future” means to us.“
Jana from the Fügnerova Nursery School (Mateřská škola Fügnerova): “We believe that our collage photo sums up the theme of World Food Day: Children themselves participate in the
production of healthy snacks, which they then eat themselves or which our cooks use to prepare lunches for the children at the nursery school. This activity is both healthy and educational ❤” Follow the school on Instagram!
Sabina Contu, teacher at the Istituto Comprensivo n. 2 Pietro Borrotzu (general education school) in Nuoro, Italy: “The photo captures a joyful moment from our “From Grain to Bread” workshop. The children watch in awe as they learn each step — from harvesting golden wheat to kneading dough. Their hands are covered in flour, eyes full of curiosity and excitement. Together, they proudly bake their own traditional pane carasau.“
Eva Hübelová, teacher at the Mateřská škola Veltěže (kindergarten) in Veltěže, Czechia: “We believe that this photo fits this year’s World Food Day theme because every year we grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables with the children in our school garden. We buy locally and seasonally, work with local farmers, and purchase fresh milk and cheese from them. We teach the children to understand where their food comes from and why it is important to appreciate food and not waste it. Through experience and adventure, the children learn about the hard work of farmers and growers. Not only the children, but also the school canteen is supplied from markets to support local growers.”
(CZ: “Myslíme si, že tato fotografie odpovídá letošnímu tématu Světového dne jídla, protože s dětmi každoročně pěstujeme bylinky, ovoce i zeleninu na naší školní zahrádce. Nakupujeme lokálně a sezónně, spolupracujeme s místními farmáři a odebíráme od nich čerstvé mléko i sýry. Děti vedeme k porozumění tomu, odkud jejich jídlo pochází, a učíme je, proč je důležité si jídla vážit a neplýtvat jím. Prožitkem a zážitkem děti poznávají nelehkou práci zemědělců a pěstitelů. Nejen děti, ale i zásobování školní jídelny probíhají na trzích pro podporu lokálních pěstitelů.”) Visit them on Facebook!
Alena Potuckova, teacher at the Základná škola Dr. Štefana Osuského (elementary school) in Brezová pod Bradlom, Slovakia: “Every finished meal is a small victory for our planet. An empty plate is a symbol that food belongs in our stomachs, not in the trash. Let’s unite for a better future without unnecessary waste!“
Zuzana Baierova, teacher at the Spojená škola Piešťany (general education school) in Piešťany, Slovakia: “Hand in hand with nature! 🍎 Teaching the next generation to connect with their food, right from the tree, is how we grow a better future. There is no better feeling than harvesting fresh, wholesome ingredients that nourish both body and soul.”
Silvia, teacher at the CEIP Pare Vilallonga (public school) in Borriana, Spain: “This photo represents World Food Day because it shows a healthy, colorful, and natural option that promotes good habits and the consumption of fresh fruit.“ Find the school on Instagram here!
Professor Graziella Monni, headteacher at the Istituto Compresivo n°3 in Nuoro, Italy: “Hand in hand for a better diet and a better future”
(IT: Mano nella mano per un futuro e un’alimentazione migliori)
Submitted by the CEIP La Rambla, (public school) in Alicante, Spain: “Our school promotes healthy eating habits through the healthy lunch programme. We seek to raise awareness among our students about the importance of actively participating in this initiative, and more and more of them are joining us by bringing healthy lunches to school.
With the image, we want to show what lunchtime is like in our everyday school life: students share fruit and nuts, a simple gesture that symbolises a commitment to a balanced and sustainable diet. The photograph highlights the collective dimension of our activities: it doesn’t matter who we are, but what we do together to build a healthier future.”
Submitted by María Ibánez Maestre, who is the school canteen coordinator at the Sagrada Familia Elda school in Alicante, Spain: “Our photograph shows how our menus promote the gastronomic richness of our region by using traditional dishes (casserole soup) and presenting them in a variety of ways using different cooking techniques. It highlights the use of seasonal, local, and regional products, as well as the introduction of foods that have been prepared and produced in accordance with current organic farming regulations. Another aspect to consider when planning and cooking is the use of menus adapted to the seasonality of the year.”
Ana Belén Manosalbas, preschool teacher and school cafeteria coordinator at Santa Ana School in Alcoy (Alicante): “A picture is worth a thousand pumpkins! This photograph, taken in our school garden with our student next to a pumpkin says it all! It perfectly captures the spirit of World Food Day: connection to the earth, respect for natural cycles, and, above all, appreciation for fresh, local food.
And what better way to learn this than by planting seeds and watching what will eventually grow and end up on your plate? The image reflects how education, sustainability, and healthy eating can go hand in hand.”
“This photo is my celebration of good vibes and nutrition for World Food Day. It’s not just fruit, it’s an edible smile! By using fresh kiwi and grapes, I show that eating healthy can be fun, delicious and colourful. It’s proof that the most nutritious can also be the most joyful. Take a bite out of happiness!”
– Sofia, student at the IES Enric Valor school in Picanya, Spain.
We would like to thank all schools for their submissions! Thank you for giving us an insight into work, clearly showing your commitment to SchoolFood4Change, better school meals and food education for all children!
You can find even more photos and comments sent to us for World Food Day 2025 from SchoolFood4Change schools in various countries here:
health and flavour in every dish.”
across generations and communities to fix food systems”
representation of the future generations maintaining the healthy habits that we have today”