Comparison of School Meal Programmes in the UK and India

This paper compares school meal programmes in a high-income (UK) and a lower-middle income country (India), examining the programmes’ coverage, inclusivity, and effectiveness in enhancing children’s nutrition and education outcomes. It is based on analysis of secondary data sources, supplemented with analysis of primary data gathered in nine primary schools in the UK and five primary schools in India. The focus of the research is on whether the meals provided align with government regulations, what barriers schools face in abiding by the regulations, the nutrition content of the meals and their perception by pupils, and the programmes’ role and place within the wider countries’ food and nutrition systems. Field research in India will conclude in February 2026.