The Role of School Feeding Programs in Ending Hunger by 2030

Kellogg hosted the virtual event “Feeding the Future” on October 26, focusing on childhood food security.

Experts convened to explore innovative solutions promoting nutritional well-being in schools and communities globally.

Amidst the prevailing challenge of hunger, affecting one in nine individuals globally, childhood food insecurity emerges as a pressing concern. The detrimental impact of inconsistent access to nutrition on the physical and cognitive development of children underscores the urgency of addressing food insecurity. According to the Global FoodBanking Network, safeguarding children during the first 8,000 days of life is pivotal to eradicating hunger by 2030.

School feeding programs, implemented in school districts and communities, are touted as the most cost-effective approach to realizing this ambitious goal. The recent UN Food Systems Summit underscored their significance as a vital instrument in combating global hunger.

For the second consecutive year, Kellogg and Insider collaborated to host “Feeding the Future,” a digital event featuring an esteemed panel of experts and stakeholders. Led by Kim Sundy, Senior Director of Global Sustainability at Kellogg, discussions centered on strategies to bolster childhood food security, emphasize the importance of school feeding initiatives, and explore the role of chefs and innovators in fostering sustainable food systems.

Renowned chef Arthur Potts Dawson emphasized the collective responsibility to advocate for improved food systems. “All of us — not just chefs, but all of us on this planet — need to be leaning more heavily into better food systems and supporting them,” he remarked, urging consumers to demand higher standards from food producers.

Among the speakers were Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director of FoodForward SA, and Joshua Williams, Founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation: Feeding Thousands of Hungry Souls. Williams emphasized the significance of individual action, stating, “Change starts with yourself. If you want to start changing the world, you have to change yourself, your perspective on the world, and change how you think you can help others.”