School Milk Knowledge Hub
Bringing together knowledge on school milk programmes from around the world
Share this page
Providing vital nutrition
There is a long-standing tradition of organising school milk programmes across the globe, either as part of broader school meals initiatives or as stand-alone efforts. These programmes have been recognised as vital social protection mechanisms, delivering both nutritional and educational benefits to children while also supporting local economies.
Ensuring the sustainability of such programmes requires careful planning, ongoing monitoring, and robust evaluation. Led by experts from the global IDF network, the School Milk Knowledge Hub has been developed to consolidate knowledge and expertise on the implementation and management of these programmes.
Explore the Hub for insights into existing programmes, case studies, resources, campaigns, and other valuable links.
Global importance
School milk programmes are widespread across many countries and for good reason. The benefits of providing milk to schoolchildren are numerous. Dairy’s naturally nutrient-rich profile offers a valuable source of high-quality protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, and vitamins B2 and B12.
Research also shows that a quality education, when combined with a reliable package of health and nutrition interventions, such as school feeding, can significantly contribute to the development of children and adolescents, while also helping to build human capital.
IDF Position Paper on the importance of milk and dairy foods in school
This document was developed by the IDF’s Action Team on School Milk Programmes and highlights the important role of milk and dairy products as part of School Meal Programmes.
The following aspects are addressed:
- An introduction to the importance of healthy food at school
- The importance of dairy in school meal programmes
- Formal school milk programmes
- Sustainability and affordability of school milk programmes.
Read the full position paper here.
A longstanding history
Since 1993, IDF has provided an overview of the development, implementation and improvement of school milk programmes.
The work undertaken by the International Dairy Federation (IDF) laid the foundation for the FAO’s 1998 global survey, published in IDF Bulletin 341/1999. In 2013, the FAO and IDF collaborated once again to conduct the most extensive global review of school milk programmes to date. The new data were compared with the 1998 findings, offering unique insights invaluable to those managing such programmes and to stakeholders in the dairy sector supplying the milk. The results were published in IDF Bulletin 480/2015.
Current IDF data indicate that over 210 million children in 104 countries currently receive and benefit from milk and dairy products provided at school.
The body of evidence demonstrating the multiple advantages of school feeding programmes continues to grow. It is essential that the role of school milk programmes in promoting children’s health remains recognised by governments and supported by intergovernmental organisations.
Watch the presentation “School Milk Programs and Highlighting Other Public Nutrition Approaches – Reach and Impact” on the latest data here.
The state of milk and milk products in school programmes around the world
Liquid milk and dairy products have long been a staple in schools, featured in dedicated programmes or broader feeding initiatives. These programmes provide vital nutrition and education to children, supporting both economic and social development, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Comprehensive global survey data is essential to understand, evaluate, and track these programmes. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has been providing insights for 31 years, with the current report compiling results from the 2023 IDF Survey. The report details the scope, design, distribution, management, and resilience of school milk and feeding programmes, including during crises like COVID-19.
There is growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based nutrition for school programmes. This bulletin includes an updated literature review on the nutritional impact of school milk and an umbrella evaluation framework to encourage future implementation research.
International Dairy Federation. (2024). The state of milk and milk products in school programmes around the world – Contributing to global child nutrition and development. (Bulletin of the IDF N° 531/2024).
Learn more
Overview of programs worldwide
A long history of contributing to the good health and nutrition of school children around the world.
Read More
School milk resources
Find help with promoting, supporting and implementing school milk programs in your region.
Read More
It is vital that intergovernmental organisations and governments continue to recognise the importance of school milk programmes in promoting good health in our children
IDF DIRECTOR GENERAL
Sharing experience & resources from around the globe
National School Milk Programme (Dairy Association of China, 2021)
Providing milk and free lunches across schools in China
Read More
Working in partnership to deliver milk to school children in Uganda
In Uganda, low levels of milk consumption, combined with deficiencies in other key food groups, has contributed to high levels of malnutrition.....
Read MoreWorking in collaboration to deliver fortified milk to Yemeni school children
In Yemen, there is an initiative to address the issues of food safety and access to safe nutrition in schools with UHT technology.....
Read More
New School Milk Programme in Bangladesh aims to improve children’s health and school attendance
Ongoing initiatives to address the challenge in Bangladesh – childhood malnutrition and lack of formal milk collection.....
Read More
Improving childhood malnutrition in Rwanda
Providing milk and free lunches across schools in China
Read MoreRelated reports & publications
IDF provides a permanent source of authoritative scientific and other information on a whole range of topics relevant to the dairy sector.
Bulletin of the IDF N° 480/ 2015: The contribution of school milk programmes to the nutrition of ch...
Good nutrition is important for people of all ages. During childhood, good nutrition promotes normal growth an....
Bulletin of the IDF N° 505/2020: The contribution of school milk programmes to the nutrition of chi...
School milk programmes are common in many countries around the world, for good reason. The benefits of providi....
Bulletin of the IDF N°531/2024 - The state of milk and milk products in school programmes around th...
Milk and milk products have been a staple in schools for many years, often featured as part of dedicated schoo....
