At the start of the school year, we are strengthening the school meal grants programme to ensure access to the service for over 1,000 children in vulnerable situations, in coordination with 140 schools across 28 municipalities. The aim is to promote health, wellbeing and equal opportunities throughout the academic year.

This September, the Probitas Foundation’s school meal grants once again serve as a key resource to secure a complete, balanced midday meal for pupils who need it. We work hand in hand with schools, local councils and social services to identify priority cases and facilitate access to the school dining hall in safe, educational environments.

Beyond nutrition, the school dining hall is an educational space that fosters healthy habits, positive relationships and a sense of belonging to the school. Our goal is to ensure the continuity of this resource throughout the year, contributing to pupils’ health, self-esteem and academic performance.

“Access to the school dining hall is both health and education. When a pupil eats adequately and regularly, their energy, attention in class and emotional wellbeing improve. School meal grants are an effective tool to reduce inequalities,” says Elisabeth Arnaldo, Program Manager at Probitas.

According to recent studies, more than 146,000 children in vulnerable situations will return to school this term without a school meal grant. Despite the efforts of public authorities, many families are still left out of support, with consequences for children’s nutrition, attendance and school performance. In this context, complementary initiatives such as Probitas’ school meal support are crucial to ensure no pupil is left behind.

At the start of this school year, Probitas’ school meal grants programme will reach over 1,000 children in 140 schools across 28 municipalities, tailoring the response to each local context and personalising support in coordination with teaching teams and social services. Year after year, we see the positive impact of this support grow in children’s lives, consolidating the school dining hall as a real opportunity for health, equity and wellbeing.