Feeding Dreams for Brighter Futures
How Nutrition Improvement through School Meals in Solomon Islands Fuels Students’ Dreams
On the lush slopes of Vella La Vella Island in Western Province, Solomon Islands, Form 7 science student John Rence gazes out from RC Nicholson College, dreaming of becoming a civil engineer. His ambition is bold—but until now, it’s been built on a shaky foundation of rice, noodles, and canned tuna.
That’s changing with the launch of the Nutrition Improvement through School Meals project, now active in six schools across Western Province and three in Isabel Province. The initiative is transforming school meals from processed imports to fresh, local produce—giving students like John and his peers the nourishment they need to focus, thrive, and pursue their dreams.
For seven years, John’s school meals lacked variety and nutrients. But he remains hopeful.
With the school meal project,” John says with a confident smile, “I hope to eat nutritious meals, concentrate better in class, and succeed in my studies to achieve my goal.
His schoolmate, Jane Marley, shares the same optimism.
I want to be a nurse,” she says. “With nutritious meals, I will have more energy and focus better in class to achieve my dream.
Their voices reflect the aspirations of thousands of students who have long relied on monotonous diets that left them feeling weak and disengaged. That reality began to shift on July 15, when the programme launched at RC Nicholson College and Patupaele Community High School on nearby Kolombangara Island.
The initiative marks a dramatic transition—from imported, processed foods to fresh, locally grown produce.
Over the last 20 years, diets have shifted away from traditional, nutrient-rich foods to imported products like instant noodles and tinned foods, which are often high in salt and low in vitamins,” explains UNICEF Solomon Islands Chief of Field Office Benjamin Grubb. “This project helps bring back cassava, sweet potatoes and fresh vegetables.
RC Nicholson College Principal Lawrence Zaza sees the potential for change.
"Most of the students’ food comes from Chinese shops in Gizo,” he says. “But if our school farm can produce its own root crops and vegetables, we’ll not only save money—we’ll also be feeding our students with healthier meals grown right here on our land.
At Patupaele Community High School, excitement is palpable.
This support will help us concentrate better in class and stay in school,” says Form 3 student Chinel Kana.
The three-year initiative tackles the “triple burden of malnutrition”—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity—through four key areas:
- Infrastructure Development: School farms, water systems, and equipped kitchens
- Capacity Building: Training in sustainable agriculture and nutrition
- Health and Safety: Improved sanitation and food handling
- Long-term Sustainability: Models for nationwide replication
Local farmers will supply schools directly, shortening supply chains and strengthening village economies. The approach builds resilience through climate-smart farming and community engagement.
Beyond boarding schools, the model offers potential for smaller schools to purchase produce from larger facilities—creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports nutrition and economic growth.
As John puts it:
With this project, I hope we will stay healthy and do our schoolwork effectively to achieve our dream job.
From engineers to nurses, teachers to leaders, students now have the nutritional foundation to pursue their futures. Because when children eat better, they learn better—and when they learn better, they grow into the strong, capable leaders Solomon Islands needs.
Thanks to the Government of Solomon Islands, UNICEF, and the dedication of communities across Western and Isabel provinces, a generation of children will not only dream of brighter futures—they will be nourished to reach them.
