One Meal, Many Stories - A Reflection from WFP Leadership

During the first lady of Cambodia, Her Excellency Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet’s visit to Prasat Cheang Torng Primary School, the simple act of sharing with children a bowl of food became something transformational. In that moment, it was clear how leadership can turn a meal into the foundation for a healthier, stronger Cambodia—proof that the WFP School Meals Programme nourishes more than bodies; it weaves together communities, connects generations, and invests in the nation’s future. 

When I arrived in Cambodia in August 2025 as Country Director of the World Food Programme, I quickly realized that the story of school meals here is not just about food — it is about transformation. 

Since its introduction in 1999, the programme has grown from a traditional food-import model—including early deliveries of canned fish—into a national homegrown model that sources fresh, local ingredients and links classrooms with communities, farmers and families. For over two decades, WFP has served over 990 million school meals to more than 2 million children while expanding the reach of school meals to schools across the country. What began as a modest food assistance effort has grown into a homegrown solution that nourishes young minds, bolsters education, and strengthens rural food system.  

Walking into schools today, I see the building blocks laid over two decades. I meet with commune chiefs, teachers, cooks, farmers, business owners, and parents who once benefitted from school meals as children — and who now play vital roles in sustaining the programme. It is a living cycle: the past investing in the future, and the present shaping a brighter Cambodia. 

This journey has been made possible because of strong government leadership. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the National Social Protection Council, and other relevant ministries and institutions supporting the programme, together with committed partners and WFP teams — past and present — have worked hand in hand to build a system that not only nourishes children but also aligns with Cambodia’s broader human capital development goal, linking education, nutrition and local agriculture in ways that strengthen communities and future prospects.  

The transition is well underway. By 2028, all programme schools will be fully under the Royal Government of Cambodia’s ownership. This is not simply a handover; it is a tested model of sustainability and a testament to national commitment. Already, Cambodia is financing and running 70 percent of schools previously managed by WFP, a clear signal that the country is investing in—and owning—its national school meals programme. This progress is backed by championship at the highest levels of Government, with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the National Social Protection Council, line ministries, and now the First Lady working alongside committed partners and WFP teams to build a system that links education, nutrition, and local agriculture—strengthening communities while advancing human capital. 

That leadership was vividly on display during the recent visit of Her Excellency Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet, Cambodia’s First Lady, to Prasat Cheang Torng Primary School. Watching her serve meals to children was a powerful reminder of what is at stake. In her remarks, she framed school meals as a pillar of Cambodia’s human capital agenda and social protection system—a multisector effort connecting education, health, nutrition, agriculture, and local economies, from school gardens to community self-reliance. Her message was clear: “children are the core strength and the great hope of our nation.” By expressing her intent to serve as Honorary Chair of the National School Feeding Steering Committee and to expand the programme nationwide, Her Excellency affirmed that high-level championship is the engine of delivery. 

During the same visit, His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, underscored that school meals sit at the heart of Cambodia’s long-term vision: reducing inequality, improving learning outcomes, and ensuring that every child—no matter where they are born—has the nourishment needed to thrive. Together, these commitments highlight that Cambodia is setting the pace in the region, leading a genuine systems transformation that prioritizes investment in people while powering rapid economic growth. 

For over a decade, schools like Prasat Cheang Torng have shown what is possible — higher attendance, healthier children, and stronger communities. Today, school meals are no longer a standalone initiative; they are part of Cambodia’s integrated social protection system, linking education, nutrition, and local agriculture.  

To continue on this journey, I see how WFP can convene all the necessary actors to expand and strengthen a programme that should become universal. As I reflect on these moments — the leadership, the partnership, the pride of communities, and the bright faces of children who know they are cared for — one thing is clear: school meals are far more than a daily routine. They are a national commitment to equity, dignity, and opportunity. With continued investment and collective resolve, Cambodia is not only nourishing its children today but laying the foundation for a healthier, smarter, and more resilient generation. The future is already taking shape — one meal, one child, one community at a time.