International School Meals Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about International School Meals Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. International School Meals Day is celebrated on March 9th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of International School Meals Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as amusing facts you should know about International School Meals Day.

📅 What day is International School Meals Day 2024?

In 2024, International School Meals Day is on Thursday, March 9th. It is the 2nd Thursday in March; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all fascinating details and facts about March 9, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

International School Meals Day is an annual event that takes place on the second Thursday of March, with this year’s date being March 9. The purpose of this campaign is to create awareness about the importance of providing healthy meals to children all around the world. It began in the United States and the United Kingdom in March 2013 and has since expanded to include countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. The campaign is organized by the non-profit organization Children in Scotland, but has received support from many other organizations and charities worldwide. The focus is on promoting good nutrition for children, as it is crucial for their physical and mental development. This highlights the need to teach children healthy eating habits both at school and at home.

📜 International School Meals Day History

After its launch in 2013, a global discussion took place among teachers, nutrition experts, policymakers, schools, communities, charities, and companies regarding the significance of school meals and their positive impact on children’s education. The event was organized by Children in Scotland and received support from partners worldwide. In 2018, the International School Meals Day competition received over 100 entries from various countries, and the top 20 recipes were showcased in a cookbook as part of the festivities.

In 2022, the holiday marked its tenth anniversary with a focus on “Celebrating School Meals.” Students, teachers, caterers, and organizations collaborated to create interesting meals and learn about diverse cuisines and cultures. This encouraged the sharing of recipes and experiences from around the world. On March 10, meals were also distributed to participants. The event garnered significant attention on social media, reaching approximately 3.3 million people. The hashtag #internationalschoolmealday trended on Twitter in March 2022, generating a total of 8,600 social media engagements.

✅ International School Meals Day Facts

🔖 368 million children benefit
Based on data, it is estimated that approximately 368 million children across the globe are provided with school meals on a daily basis.

🔖 Healthy lunch helps school
Children and teenagers who consume healthy school lunches have a significantly higher chance, 340% more likely, of retaining the information they learn in class during the day.

🔖 Global food competitions
Over 100 entries from around the world were submitted for a competition held by International School Meals Day in 2018.

👍 Why Is International School Meals Day Important

Raising awareness about healthy nutrition among children of various backgrounds and locations Every day, children must be fed well at school and at home.

The occasion inspires individuals to give to charities that provide nourishment for underprivileged children. With such gifts, the World Food Program continues to expand and help more children.

Cooking becomes more daring and healthful with new, healthy dishes from the movement to try. The holiday provides enjoyable activities to participate in as a group or independently.

🙂 How To Observe International School Meals Day

⚡ Donate to charities
You can make a difference in providing food for children in nations affected by war or economic hardships by donating to organizations that focus on nutrition, such as the World Food Program. Every contribution, no matter how small, is significant and valuable in helping alleviate hunger.

⚡ Host or attend a workshop on healthy eating
Participating in a nutrition and healthy cooking course, whether as a host or attendee, is an excellent way to embrace the holiday spirit. You can easily organize a workshop with a small group of friends or neighbors and make it even more enjoyable by inviting youngsters from the neighborhood to join in.

⚡ Try cooking activities with an international theme
Each year, Foreign School Meals Day celebrates a unique international theme and offers recipe suggestions for participants to try. This event provides an opportunity for everyone, regardless of their cooking expertise, to join in the festivities and enjoy the shared experience with others.

📅 When is International School Meals Day?

Discover all 🔗 March holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

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