Lions Clubs International Foundation and World Food Programme scale up locally sourced school meals for children in Nepal

The collaboration follows a one-year pilot phase completed in 2025, during which LCIF and World Food Program USA jointly invested USD 1 million to support school meals programmes in Nepal. Reaching approximately 70,000 children, while strengthening linkages between schools, smallholder farmers, and government systems.

Following this success, the partnership has been expanded for the next one year (2026-2027) with a budget of USD 500k jointly invested by LCIF and WFP USA. WFP aims to reach 70,000 children through reliable school meal system led by the local governments, ensure stable markets for smallholder farmers, and maintain safer kitchens, better menus and stronger supply chains to present a replicable national model for Nepal. 

“Mid-day meals play a vital role in improving attendance and learning outcomes and the Home-grown school feeding approach helps ensure these meals are nutritious and locally sourced, creating stable markets for local farmers,” said Mr. Choodamani Paudel, Secretary from the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Government of Nepal. The continued implementation of this partnership will strengthen sustainability, helping the mid‑day meal programme evolve into a more sustainable and locally driven system that contributes to national development priorities.”

In Nepal, the partnership directly supports the Government of Nepal’s Midday Meal Programme and contributes to efforts to reduce child malnutrition, improve school attendance and strengthen decentralized service delivery.  Schools are transitioning from externally supplied meals to locally designed menus using ingredients sourced from nearby farmers and cooperatives, improving dietary diversity while supporting rural livelihoods. 

“Home-grown school feeding brings together nutrition, education, agriculture, and livelihoods into one powerful platform,” said Mr. Riaz Lodhi, WFP Country Director in Nepal. “With the Government’s endorsement of the framework in 2024, this partnership is accelerating the transition to a nationally owned, sustainable programme where community members produce fresh food for schools and their children enjoy hot, nutritious meals. This delivers immediate impact for children while driving long-term development.”

The partnership also invests in safer, more efficient school kitchens - improving ventilation, promoting clean cooking solutions, and strengthening hygiene facilities. These upgrades reduce reliance on firewood, lower emissions, and ensure meals are prepared safely and consistently year-round.

“Hunger relief is one of our global causes, and we believe sustainable solutions begin at the community level,” said Mr. Fabrício Oliveira, LCIF Chairperson. “Through this partnership, we are helping turn service into sustainable impact- ensuring children receive nutritious school meals while empowering local farmers, schools, and communities.” 

Lions play an important role in supporting implementation, bringing volunteer networks and leadership, community roots, and a long‑standing experience in areas including hunger relief, education, health and disaster response. Their presence helps strengthen collaboration with local authorities and communities.

As Nepal continues its transition towards a nationally led school meals system, partnership between the Government of Nepal, WFP and LCIF highlights the importance of linking social protection with local agriculture to build stronger, more resilient food systems.