As increasing climate disasters worsen global food insecurity, climate-friendlier food aid is needed. A Well-Fed World sponsors culturally appropriate plant-based school meals for kids in need in communities experiencing hunger and poverty around the globe. For some children these lunches are their only full meal of the day, providing crucial nutrition and improved learning outcomes. Free school meal programs we've sponsored or sponsor include schools in Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda, India and Haiti.
Roughly 45 million children suffer severe malnutrition every year, with an estimated 3.1 million children dying annually from undernutrition. Additionally, at least half of children worldwide under 5 years suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, now recognized as a form of hidden hunger. Vegetables are the major source of most micronutrients, which are vital to healthy development and disease prevention. For countless children, free school meals are the only full meal they receive every day.
Currently less than half the world's cereal grains are consumed by humans. 41% is fed to livestock, who convert only a fraction of these calories into calories humans can eat. For every 100 calories of grain fed to a cow, only 2 calories of beef or 24 calories of dairy are produced. The UN estimates the calories lost by feeding cereals to livestock instead of humans could feed an extra 3.5 billion people. Plant-based school meals feed far more children with far fewer resources and GHG emissions.
Malnutrition and hunger significantly inhibit a child's ability to learn effectively. In countries and communities with high rates of childhood undernutrition, school feeding programs frequently provide children with their only full meal of the day, supplying crucial nutrition and sustenance, along with increased school attendance and improved learning outcomes. Plant-based school meals and school vegetable gardens can significantly improve dietary diversity and micronutrient intake.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
