The SchoolFood4Change project has come to an end after four years of cooperation across Europe, leaving a body of evidence, practical tools, and policy recommendations to support the further development of healthy and sustainable school food. According to the project’s impact analysis, every additional €1 invested in transforming school meals in the EU can generate at least €2.50 in wider social, environmental, and health-related benefits.

With more than one million children reached, the project contributed to demonstrating the role that school meals can play in supporting broader food system transformation, including the increased use of organic food in schools. These issues were further discussed at the project’s final conference, held in Rome on 27 May 2026, which brought together policymakers, researchers, cities, and practitioners to reflect on lessons learned and future opportunities for scaling up action across Europe.

The project also generated policy guidance relevant to the European debate on sustainable school food. In particular, policy briefs published in 2026 set out recommendations on sustainable public procurement in schools, improved access for smaller producers using organic farming practices, and practical pathways for expanding healthy and sustainable school meals across the European Union.

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