The Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that billions of people across the world still cannot afford healthy meals despite gradual progress in the fight against hunger. Its latest 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition report estimates that approximately 645 million people were hungry in 2025, while about 2.7 billion people lacked access to a nutritious diet.
The News Chronicle reports that the UN agency emphasized the importance of nutrition as one of the most pressing problems for millions of people worldwide. The study highlighted school feeding programs as an effective way to address malnutrition and showcased the successful experience of Mary’s Meals, which provides daily meals to over three million children in 16 countries using a community-based approach.
The UN agency noted that sourcing food locally and relying on voluntary help ensured the program’s sustainability while also contributing to the local economy and ensuring children’s access to education.
The agency urged states, developmental organizations, and communities to ramp up efforts in promoting sustainable food systems while also encouraging the feeding programs for millions of children around the world. The UN agency reiterated that the world produces enough food to feed every individual but poverty prevents people from buying wholesome meals. It emphasized that scaling up school feeding programs will help break the cycle of hunger and poverty while improving the well-being of millions of children and supporting education.
