Germany’s BMZ, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and WFP Launch New School Meals Accelerator to help governments reach an additional 100 million children with nutritious meals

Jan 16, 2026

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Germany’s BMZ, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and WFP Launch New School Meals Accelerator to help governments reach an additional 100 million children with nutritious meals

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), Novo Nordisk Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the World Food Programme (WFP) launch a first-of-its-kind School Meals Accelerator today to reach an additional 100 million children by 2030. The Accelerator, which gets off the ground with more than US$80 million from the four founding partners, with additional support from France and the Global Partnership for Education, will connect countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean with technical assistance to strengthen and scale national school meal programmes. By pooling resources and expertise, the four founding partners seek to unlock the full potential of national school feeding programmes to combat hunger and poverty, while strengthening food and nutrition security around the world.

Announced during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin, Germany, BMZ’s participation in the Accelerator underscores the country’s commitment to innovation in development cooperation. Through this initiative, Germany is backing a new model that taps into the growing demand by governments to expand home-grown school meals and integrate them into broader strategies for food systems transformation, fostering equity and resilience.

“School meals are more than just a plate of food. They are a significant game changer in our global fight for better education, empowerment, health and for a better future together,” said Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. “Germany strongly supports this initiative, which combines innovation and partnership to fight hunger and poverty.”

"Governments are leading an unprecedented transformation in school meal programmes,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, Assistant Executive Director Partnerships and Innovation of the World Food Programme (WFP). “The Accelerator supports that ambition—working alongside WFP and other partners to help countries turn their commitments into sustainable systems that support children and communities and strengthen education and food security."

“Healthy diets in childhood are the foundation for lifelong health,” said Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of theNovo Nordisk Foundation. “The Accelerator will help countries design programmes that improve nutrition and prevent chronic disease.”

“School meals are one of the most powerful and underleveraged investments in development,” said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Accelerator will help countries unlock the full potential of national school feeding programmes for their communities – turning political commitment into sustainable systems that nourish children, support farmers, and strengthen food and nutrition security. The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support this effort as part of our $100 million commitment to regenerative school meals."