Nepal, WFP Launch Two Reports Showcasing Progress in Food Security and School Meals Programme
The Government of Nepal and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday unveiled two reports showcasing the country's significant progress in strengthening food security, nutrition, education, climate resilience and social protection through strong government leadership and strategic partnerships.
The two publications, The Journey of the National Mid-Day Meals Programme and WFP's Annual Country Report 2025—highlight Nepal's development achievements and its transition from externally supported initiatives to nationally led systems that have improved the lives of millions, according to a WFP press release.
The reports demonstrate how sustained investment, collaboration and effective government leadership have strengthened national institutions while accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WFP said.
"The achievements celebrated today reflect the power of partnership," said Riaz Lodhi, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nepal. "Together with the Government of Nepal, development partners and communities, WFP has helped advance solutions that strengthen food security, improve nutrition, build resilience and support human capital development."
The Journey of the National Mid-Day Meals Programme in Nepal traces the evolution of the country's school meals programme over more than five decades. Launched in 1967 as a small initiative to address classroom hunger, it has grown into one of Nepal's largest social protection programmes, benefiting nearly three million children across all 77 districts and becoming fully funded by the Government of Nepal in 2025.
The report highlights the programme's role in improving school enrolment, attendance, retention and nutrition, while also promoting local food systems through the Home-Grown School Feeding approach, which connects schools with smallholder farmers through cooperatives.
"Finland is proud to support Nepal's education sector through the School Sector Education Plan and Home-Grown School Feeding programme," said Petri Puhakka, Ambassador of Finland to Nepal. "School meals in Nepal are not just about feeding children; they bring together schools, local governments, parents and farmer groups, creating a shared commitment to children's wellbeing and education."
U.S. Embassy Nepal Chargé d'Affaires Scott Urbom said, "The best development investments deliver results far beyond their original purpose. School meals improve education and nutrition while creating reliable markets for Nepali farmers, cooperatives and local businesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proudly partnered with Nepal on this effort since 2005 because a healthier, better educated and more prosperous Nepal is also a stronger partner for the United States, creating new opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation between our countries."
Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, stressed that investing in children remains a national priority, noting that strengthening school meals is key to securing Nepal's future prosperity.
He described school meals as a strategic investment that simultaneously advances education, nutrition, agriculture and local economic development, contributing to the country's long-term human capital development.
Minister of Social Development of Sudurpaschim Province, Bel Bahadur Rana Magar, said the nationalisation of the Mid-Day Meals Programme demonstrates what can be achieved through strong government leadership, sustained partnerships and innovation.
He also acknowledged WFP's contribution to strengthening local food systems and creating market opportunities for women and local farmers through stronger school-farmer linkages, while reaffirming the government's commitment to building resilient systems that benefit children, communities and future generations.
The publication further outlines Nepal's plan to expand the programme up to Grade 8 and increase its coverage to around 4.5 million children in the coming years, reinforcing school meals as a key pillar of the country's social protection and human capital development agenda.
Meanwhile, the Annual Country Report 2025 highlights WFP's support to more than 438,000 people through programmes focused on emergency preparedness and response, school meals, nutrition, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and food systems transformation. Among its key achievements, the Home-Grown School Feeding initiative benefited more than 208,000 students across Nepal, further strengthening connections between schools, farmers and local markets.
