Today, the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) combines the fight against hunger, support for family farming, and nutrition education; the country leads international initiatives such as the RAES Network to strenghten school feeding
This Monday, the 31st March, marks seven decades of uninterrupted public school feeding policies in Brazil, establishing the country as one of the world’s leading references in food security. Its origins date back to 1955, with the creation of the School Meal Campaign, the precursor to the current National School Feeding Programme (PNAE).
Managed by the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), a federal agency linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC), PNAE provides financial resources to municipal, state, district, and federal school networks, as well as philanthropic institutions and community schools, ensuring daily meals for 40 million students in 155,000 public schools. Additionally, it boosts family farming, reduces inequalities, and promotes healthy eating habits.
In 2024, the programme’s budget reached R$5.5 billion, with a recent milestone: after six years without adjustments, financial transfers were increased by up to 39% in 2023. “After years of frozen funds, we resumed adjustments to prioritize early childhood education, full-time schooling, and schools in indigenous, and vulnerable regions. This is a vital step in fighting hunger and valuing those who produce real food,” emphasizes Minister of Education Camilo Santana.
International Cooperation and Global Leadership
PNAE has gone beyond national borders. A key partnership is with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), FNDE and FAO have worked together to strengthen school feeding programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. This collaboration led to the creation of the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES) in 2018, a regional platform dedicated to enhancing school feeding programs across its member countries.
RAES plays a key role in the Global School Meals Coalition, promoting knowledge exchange and policy-building to ensure nutritious meals for students worldwide. In collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) Centre of Excellence Against Hunger, FNDE established a strategic partnership to promote sustainable school feeding policies in developing countries.
Uniting Forces Against Hunger
In 2024, Brazil launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the G20 summit in Rio, bringing together 160 countries and organizations. “We are sharing our expertise so that Global South nations can replicate policies such as linking school feeding to family farming,” explains Karine Santos, General Coordinator of PNAE.
As co-chair of the Global School Meals Coalition (alongside France and Finland), Brazil will host the 2nd Global Summit on School Feeding in 2025, in Fortaleza (CE). The event will discuss how to guarantee nutritious meals for all children by 2030.
“PNAE is a rare example of a long-standing state policy — it has survived different governments and crises. What’s its secret? Integrating education, health, and sustainable development,” summarizes Fernanda Pacobahyba. “As long as there are children in school, there will be PNAE. And it will continue to evolve.”
From 1955 to 2025: A Path of Equity
The initial goal of school feeding policies was to combat child malnutrition, but over the years, the program has evolved into a more integrated model. In addition to providing 10 billion meals annually, PNAE is recognized for combining nutrition education, support for small-scale producers, and sustainability.
In 2009, Law 11.947 expanded the program’s scope to cover the entire basic education system, including youth and adult education, while also mandating that 30% of its resources be invested in direct purchases from family farmers. “PNAE is a symbol of equity. We ensure not just food on the plate, but also health, learning, and dignity,” says Fernanda Pacobahyba, president of FNDE.
Family Farming at the Heart of the Plate
While large-scale monoculture farming — focused on vast farms and heavy pesticide use — threatens biodiversity, family farming promotes environmental harmony. “These farmers preserve traditional knowledge, like Indigenous agricultural practices that protect the forest while cultivating food,” explains Anderson Sampaio, Director of Educational Actions of FNDE.
Since 2009, legislation has required that at least 30% of the annual budget be invested in direct purchases from small-scale farmers, including traditional communities. “Law 11.947 not only improved school meals but also reduced ultra-processed foods. With Resolution 3/2025, we have set a limit of 10% for ultra-processed products by 2026, prioritizing 85% fresh and natural foods,” highlights Anderson Sampaio. Additionally, the new regulation prioritizes female-led farming groups, which now account for 50% of school food purchases.
Innovative Projects
The 7th Food and Nutrition Education Journey (EAN), launched in March 2025, promises to be the most ambitious edition yet. Running until September, it will award R$10,000 to the 20 best educational initiatives that integrate healthy eating into the school curriculum.
“We want to highlight stories like that of an Indigenous school in Caarapó/MS, which offers high school students technical training in agroecology and sustainability. The program helps preserve traditional farming methods while incorporating modern ecological knowledge,” says Karine Santos, General Coordinator of PNAE.
This school project, based on PNAE, also trains parents and community leaders on food production for both family consumption and income generation.
At the same time, the “Eating is Learning” podcast (FNDE/UNICEF) explores topics such as food sovereignty and gastronomic culture, with nine episodes available on YouTube and Spotify. Meanwhile, the “Top-Grade Nutrition” project, a partnership with Itaipu Binacional and federal institutes, trains school cooks and nutritionists in food security. “They are the true change-makers, bringing knowledge from the kitchen to the classroom,” emphasizes Fernanda.
Brazil’s School Cooks: Examples of Love and Dedication
School cooks play a fundamental role in Brazil’s school feeding program, ensuring its success through nutritious and safe meals for millions of students. They also serve as food educators, promoting healthy eating habits and local food culture.
Djanira de Souza, a school cook from Ilha de Maré, a quilombola community in Bahia, has always believed in the importance of PNAE. “The children of Brazil and I thank PNAE for providing daily meals. I prepare food with love and great satisfaction, knowing that these children will grow up healthy,” she says proudly.
The Role of School Administrators in Food Management
Ensuring that students have access to healthy and appropriate meals is a key challenge in school food management. According to Évilauba Gonçalves, PNAE manager at the Ceará State Department of Education, PNAE plays a critical role in ensuring quality food in schools.
“PNAE guidelines help provide healthy meals, making it the main strategy for ensuring proper nutrition, respecting student conditions, age groups, dietary restrictions, and other factors,” explains Évilauba.
In this context, school administrators play a crucial role in ensuring that the program is efficiently implemented. Proper oversight, correct resource allocation, and careful meal planning are essential to providing students with quality meals.
