Safe and Nutritious School Meals

In 2022, Cambodia endorsed the School Feeding Transition Strategy, aiming for full national ownership of the NHGSFP by 2028. To date, 65% of this transition has been completed. In 2022, Cambodia joined the School Meals Coalition (SMC), reaffirming its commitment to enhancing school nutrition.

To improve meal quality, Cambodia conducted a randomized controlled trial in 2024, led by CARD, to develop Nutrition Guidelines and Standards. As part of its commitment to gradual improvements, the Royal Government of Cambodia plans to enhance school meal quality by 2026.

MoEYS will coordinate with MAFF, CARD, and NSPC to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals by using locally produced foods and integrating fortified foods, with technical support from WFP and funding support from MEF. This collaboration will focus on ensuring that food costs are in line with the minimum standard requirements while being cost-effective, supporting local economies by sourcing from domestic producers. This initiative can be successfully implemented based on evidence and will be prioritized if the necessary support is provided. By 2027, the government aims to ensure that school meals meet the minimum nutritional standards for students, including the incorporation of fortified rice in 10% of all meals.

These efforts will reinforce the long-term sustainability of the NHGSF, enhancing nutrition and providing a cost-effective approach, in line with Cambodia’s vision for a nationally owned, nutrition-sensitive school feeding programme.