Uzbekistan scores well on school food and nutrition

Improving the food security and nutrition of children, especially those in rural areas or from poor families, through school feeding is a priority in Uzbekistan, and one which is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

Schools are an ideal setting to give children and adolescents the good diet they need in order to grow, develop, be protected from disease and have the energy to study, learn and be physically active. School meal programmes reach children at an age when positive food and health habits are being formed—and an increased awareness of nutrition can be a spillover benefit to families and the wider community. FAO works with governments to utilize schools’ potential to raise food security, nutrition, education and health for everyone. 

In Tashkent, two stakeholder meetings brought together key ministries and key actors to discuss the progress and future strategies for strengthening school meal programmes in Uzbekistan. The meetings, convened by FAO, reviewed the current food and nutrition security and school meal situation and discussed possible comprehensive improvements, including the Government’s pilot programme of free school meals, currently operating in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region.     

The first meeting brought together experts, government officials, and researchers, while the second meeting focused on practitioners including food outsourcers and providers, school principals, and local experts, who shared their experiences and challenges in implementing school meal programmes, while learning about the main elements that would contribute to development of a sustainable school meal programme.

FAO has recently completed an extensive assessment of Uzbekistan's school meal programme, revealing both promising foundations and areas needing improvement. 

“Uzbekistan has made significant progress in developing school meal programmes, making them a priority for food security and child health. However, to achieve long-term results and to create a sustainable and inclusive school feeding system, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between different sectors, improve infrastructure and the legal framework, introduce nutrition education programmes and more closely link school feeding with local agriculture” stated Flavia Schwartzman, FAO Nutrition Expert on School Food and Nutrition.     

Despite progress, challenges remain in expanding school meal programmes. In the pilot regions, free meals are provided as a second breakfast, covering only part of students’ daily nutritional needs for healthy hot meal options. Many schools also lack proper infrastructure. Better coordination among sectors and improved guidelines on nutrition and food safety are essential for long term success.

“The challenge to expanding the programme is that there is fragmented coordination and infrastructure gaps, with over 40 percent of school canteens needing repairs. Strengthening governance, ensuring meal quality and food safety, and integrating IT systems for tracking food supply to schools are key to a sustainable school meal programme. Raising awareness among parents, pupils, teachers, and kitchen staff about healthy eating and improving food preparation processes will enhance children’s access to nutritious and safe food, which in turn will improve their health and school learning outcomes," said Lola Isakova, FAO Nutrition Expert.

Recommendations to improve school feeding

The meetings presented a comprehensive set of recommendations addressing eleven critical pillars for strengthening school meal programmes throughout Uzbekistan. A key priority is establishing a national intersectoral coordination mechanism to align policies and reduce inefficiencies through the involvement of the Ministries of Preschool and School Education, Health, Agriculture, Finance, and Social Protection, as well as academia and other important institutions and actors. Experts called for redesigning school meals to integrate health, education, social development, and agricultural objectives, defining clear goals based on regional dietary habits, nutritional needs, and food security challenges.

Participants emphasized the need to establish national rules and guidelines for nutrition and food safety aimed at the sustainable development of the school meal program along with quality criteria for meal providers. They also highlighted the importance of integrating food and nutrition education across the curriculum, addressing waste reduction and other important topics related to food systems, through experiential learning activities such as school gardens and farm visits.

Several key points for improvements emerged during the discussions. Creating connections to local smallholder agriculture emerged as a significant opportunity, as well as the potential of school gardens to grow both skills and food. Mapping local farmers to assess their ability to supply schools with fresh, seasonal and local food and establishing liaison systems between farmers, schools, and meal providers could ensure a consistent supply and contribute to local economies. Developing an electronic monitoring system would improve tracking of meal distribution, attendance, and quality, while a national database could centralize data on programme outcomes and resource use.

During the sessions, FAO experts, Flavia Schwartzman, Akkumis Salkhanova, Healthy Nutrition and Food Safety Standards Specialist from Kazakhstan, and Klaudia Krizsán, FAO Expert on Nutrition, shared valuable experiences from school meal programmes from other regions and neighbouring countries, highlighting successful models that could be adapted to Uzbekistan's context and emphasizing the importance of healthy food systems and standardized approaches to nutrition guidelines. While FAO national experts, Anvar Shukurov and Lola Isakova outlined the current situation and needs of the existing school meal programme.

"With non-communicable diseases responsible for over 85 percent of deaths in the country, strengthening school nutrition is crucial for establishing healthy eating habits early, reducing the risk of diet-related illnesses, and promoting long-term well-being,” said Klaudia Krizsán. “Nutritious meals not only benefit children but also influence families, strengthen local food systems, and contribute to a healthier future for all.”

A holistic approach to school food and nutrition to ensure nutritious school meals are enjoyed by all students is crucial for children's development and wellbeing.