ABSTRACT
In July 2024, SDG advocates led by UN Secretary-General Jeffrey Sachs emphasised that free lunch programmes are a vital investment in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in combating hunger and malnutrition, which significantly impact physical and mental development. Addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects is essential for fostering school well-being. To explore this, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on school feeding programmes and their relation to school well-being in the context of the SDGs, using databases such as Google Scholar and Scopus. Through a multi-step exclusion process, 11 relevant documents were selected from 213 Scopus articles and 315 Google Scholar articles. The findings offer valuable insights into promoting health and well-being in educational settings through school feeding initiatives. The literature reveals a strong connection between school feeding programmes and school well-being, demonstrating that school meals, directly and indirectly, influence the dimensions of having, loving, being, and health as a framework for school well-being. The success of these programmes relies heavily on strict nutritional standards and efficient management. Additionally, school feeding programmes not only enhance student well-being but also stimulate economic growth by supporting local farmers through the use of locally sourced food products.
