Turkish advocates call for free school meals to combat nutritional inequality

Advocates in Turkey are calling for improved access to healthy school meals to combat nutritional inequality and support educational success. During a panel organized by the Adana School Meal Coalition, experts highlighted the direct link between nutrition and cognitive development.

Data presented by Dr. Burcu Kuş revealed that 23.1% of children in Turkey live in households unable to consume meat, chicken, or fish daily due to financial constraints. The coalition, which includes various professional chambers and NGOs, emphasized that access to healthy food is essential for ensuring equality in education.

In a separate statement marking World Food Day, Tuğrul Dereli of the TMMOB Chamber of Food Engineers argued that access to safe and balanced nutrition is a fundamental human right rather than a luxury. He noted that rising food prices and income inequality are forcing low-income families, students, and retirees to choose between healthy eating and other basic needs.

Both groups advocated for the provision of at least one free, nutritious, and safe meal per day to all students in schools to mitigate the physical and cognitive impacts of malnutrition.