PRESS RELEASE: Data Collection for Second Global Survey of School Meal Programs has Begun

GCNF conducts second round Global Survey of School Meal Programs, capturing world-wide impact of COVID-19 on school meals and child nutrition

SEATTLE, WA – School meal programs — in which students are provided with snacks, meals, or other foods in or through schools — are common worldwide. While country-supported school meals are almost universally embraced globally, standardized information about these programs has not been collected and published regularly, until now. The Global Child Nutrition Foundation’s (GCNF) inaugural Global Survey of School Meal Programs © established a unique global database of standardized information on school meal programs, covering all related sectors and activities.

GCNF is now collecting a second round of data for the Global Survey of School Meal Programs ©, capturing the impact of the pandemic for at least one full school year. As schools closed due to the pandemic, from Honduras to the United States to Senegal to Cambodia, many families’ access to school feeding programs that have been important sources of food and nutrition for their children and essential support for households was lost or limited. GCNF’s survey will help to measure and tell the story of the pandemic’s toll on the school food system, while also documenting the resilience and creativity of school meal programs in the face of such dramatic challenges. 

“We know that the pandemic has had far-reaching and devastating effects on children, their nutrition, and their education,” said GCNF Executive Director Arlene Mitchell. “This survey will not only provide us with more specific information regarding the impact on school-age children and the programs that support their nutrition, it should also give us insights into which countries were better prepared to deal with this public health crisis and what would assist in planning for future emergencies of this type. We will use the survey results to support peer-to-peer sharing and learning amongst policy makers.”

This 2021 survey goes beyond simply counting how many meals are served or how many children are fed. Through the survey, GCNF will gather updated information regarding:

  • The scope of school feeding in each country in the most recently completed school year Government financing of, and involvement in, school feeding
  • Nutrition-, education-, and gender-related aspects of school feeding
  • Job creation, and agricultural and private sector engagement
  • Related health and sanitation topics
  • The impact of emergencies, including the COVID-19 Pandemic

“No one’s done this before and I couldn’t, I kind of couldn’t believe it.” said Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN and Chair of the UN Food Systems Summit’s Action Track 1, on the extensive data collected in the Global Survey of School Meal Programs. “No one has collected this data before in a systematic manner, given that these programs have been around so long, they have so much potential to do good. And so many countries have them. It seemed amazing to me that there isn’t a database on them.”

GCNF Global Survey Team members have begun reaching out to country governments around the world to begin completing questionnaires. The Global Survey of School Meal Programs Questionnaire may be completed online or in PDF format (with email submission). It is available in PDF format in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The Survey Team will serve as virtual guides, to answer questions, and otherwise work with government-appointed Focal Points to complete the survey. Learn more about the Global Survey team.

The 2019 Global Survey drew responses from 103 countries representing 78% of the world’s population. Of these, 85 countries had at least one large-scale school feeding program and provided data for their most recently completed school year. The remaining 18 countries reported that they had no relevant program. Complete survey results and additional information can be found at www.staging.gcnf.org. It is GCNF’s intention to update the Global Survey periodically (e.g., every two to three years) in order to track changes and identify trends in school feeding programs over time.

The Global Child Nutrition Foundation brings together a committed community of governments, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to learning for any child. Together we advocate for school feeding programs as a powerful investment in every child’s human capital; share best practices and research among our peers; and provide support through forging valuable partnerships and connecting resources to meet the needs of our network members.

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Contact Information:
Global Child Nutrition Foundation
Rebecca Steelman
206-258-6749
rebecca@gcnf.org

 

Heidi Kessler
Senior Program & Operations Officer
Heidi@gcnf.org

Now Hiring: Finance and Administration Coordinator

Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) is now hiring: Finance and Administration position (title commensurate with experience)

Classification: 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)

Ideal Start Date: January 3, 2022

Please submit resume and cover letter to:

Email: info@gcnf.org

Subject: Finance and Administration position

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Three professional references will be requested from final candidates. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

GCNF is seeking an experienced person to handle its financial and administrative matters to start as soon as possible. The title and salary offered for the position will be based on the successful applicant’s experience as matched to GCNF needs and finances.

Overview: The primary responsibility of this position is to implement financial and administrative actions on behalf of GCNF. The incumbent is expected to maintain and improve ongoing financial and administrative processes, procedures, and policies as needed. This person should be efficient at handling multiple priorities, work efficiently, take initiative, be organized, and be a team player with a great attitude. This position also plays a significant role in the planning and execution of GCNF events, especially the Global Child Nutrition Forums.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate the financial and administrative processes to support GCNF’s accounts payable and accounts receivable processes including preparing check/wire requests, invoicing, processing travel/expense vouchers, depositing checks, coordinating payroll and benefits, facilitating online merchant services, and documentation of these processes to the standards as outlined by the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States.
  • Perform routine bookkeeping in Quickbooks or liaise with a contracted bookkeeper to ensure proper bookkeeping of all GCNF’s financial transactions including the monthly reconciliation of all bank and credit accounts, all income and expense transactions, all in-kind transactions, and all liability and equity of the organization to standards as prescribed by GAAP.
  • Prepare all monthly financial reports for review by the Executive Director and the Treasurer of the Board.
  • Manage credit card and bank accounts.
  • Work with relevant staff, consultants, and funding entities to develop and monitor project budgets.
  • Assist Executive Director and Finance Committee in development and tracking of annual budget.
  • Liaise with the Auditor to conduct a standard audit of GCNF’s annual financial statements.
  • Prepare and submit all necessary registration documents to guarantee GCNF’s legal registration at the Federal, State, and local levels including maintaining GCNF’s registered agent service and any required state charitable solicitation registrations.
  • Maintain relevant GCNF insurance policies.
  • Research and coordinate costs and solutions for the purchase of equipment, supplies, travel, software, subscriptions, and other items needed to support GCNF’s operations and programs.
  • Support the financial and administrative aspects of GCNF’s fundraising and communications campaigns and activities.
  • Ensure that all donations and fundraising activities are documented in compliance with GCNF’s status as a 501(c)3 organization.
  • Manage outgoing and incoming correspondence and mail related to administrative and financial matters.
  • Coordinate and maintain records of staff and consultant contracts.
  • Coordinate financial, administrative, and registration components of international events, including Global Child Nutrition Forums.
  • Provide other financial support as requested.
  • Provide ad hoc administrative support.

Required Qualifications:

  • Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field (or experience and proven success in relevant previous roles)
  • Knowledge of accounting principles, fund accounting, GAAP, nonprofit accounting, laws, tax codes, government regulations, and best practices
  • Skilled in QuickBooks, spreadsheets (Excel or other), Google Workspace, Zoom, and Microsoft Office
  • Respect for and ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and styles
  • Commitment to confidentiality in managing sensitive information
  • Exceptional attention to detail, skilled in research and analysis
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and self-direct to meet strict deadlines
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills in English– ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and concisely
  • Ability to work effectively both in a virtual environment and in person
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team and both in a lead role and as a subordinate

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous finance and accounting experience in a nonprofit environment
  • Experience managing subordinate employees and contractors
  • Experience in a cross-cultural environment
  • International experience
  • Working level language skills in one or more of the following languages in addition to English (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish)

Workplace Location and Work from Home:

GCNF’s official physical work location is in Seattle, WA. Per GCNF policy and under pre-approved conditions, GCNF staff may work remotely. However, some in-person work, and some domestic and international travel, at least on a periodic basis and as pandemic conditions allow, is expected for GCNF employees.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary range: Commensurate with experience as relevant to GCNF needs and finances.

We provide medical benefits, generous paid time off, work from home stipends (during approved remote work periods), and a 401K match.

About GCNF:

GCNF is a non-governmental, non-profit, (501c3) organization based in the United States that works with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to support school meal programs that help children and communities thrive. GCNF provides training, technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities to help governments build national school meal programs that are nutritious, locally-sourced, and ultimately independent from international aid.

Founded in 2006, GCNF is registered to operate in both Washington and Virginia. GCNF’s annual budgets over the past five years have ranged from roughly $500,000 to $1 million. Its small staff (averaging about four employees per year) is supplemented by the services of international and domestic consultants, volunteers, interns, contractors, and—on occasion—by members of its Executive Board.

While we are a very small organization, we have an excellent reputation globally, an extensive international network, and a mighty ambition.

For more information: https://gcnf.org or info@gcnf.org

PRESS RELEASE: GCNF’s Report School Meal Programs Around the World finds school feeding programs drive inclusive economic growth

SEATTLE, WA (April 14, 2021) — School meal programs extend benefits far beyond their critical education and nutritional value for vulnerable children, creating jobs and contributing to agricultural and economic growth and social stability for whole communities says a new Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) report, School Meal Programs Around the World. While many countries are investing in school meal programs, coverage is weakest precisely where the need is the greatest.

“The value of school feeding as an investment in human capital is essential to inclusive economic growth and the well-being of children and families,” Mitchell says. “Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we advocate for school feeding programs as a path to recovery. School meals support children in returning to school. They directly contribute to children’s health, nutrition, and education, expand employment opportunities for women and youth and strengthen agriculture. The intergenerational benefits are enormous.”

The report School Meal Programs Around the World, is based on the Global Survey of School Meal Programs © conducted in 2019 by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, creating the first comprehensive global database of school meal programs. 

Of the 103 countries that responded, 85 countries reported that they have one or more large-scale school meal programs that serve an estimated 297.3 million children around the world. Almost three quarters of countries stated their programs also serve as a social safety net, providing food for poor or vulnerable children that offsets household costs for their families. As schools closed due to the pandemic, from Honduras to the United States to Senegal, families had limited access to school feeding programs that have been important sources of food and nutrition for their children and essential support to households. 

The survey also reveals that while financing remains a challenge in many countries, it is clear that programs are most successful when funding is earmarked in national budgets. “Governments across the world must invest in grey matter infrastructure; the infrastructure that helps brains grow from nutrition; the infrastructure that builds the healthy and productive workforce of the future,” said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and 2017 recipient of both GCNF’s Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award and the World Food Prize.

The survey also found that nearly all programs purchase some or all food domestically creating significant institutional demand to support the livelihoods of local producers, encourage production of healthier foods for children, and build resilience into our supply chains. Harnessing this buying power could have a powerful and positive effect on both national and global food systems.

“The survey enhances our understanding of the wide range of benefits and value of school feeding as an economic and social development tool,” explains Executive Director Arlene Mitchell. “We expect the impact on food systems to be great as we uncover multiple opportunities to strengthen program engagement with agriculture and to use local purchasing, especially from small scale farmers as a tool for economic development and resilience.”

Countries also recognize that school feeding programs meaningfully contribute to women’s equitable economic empowerment when emphasizing formal employment and fair wages. Most countries reported that 75% or more of school food preparers are women, but 31% of programs reported that very few or no cooks receive payment for their work.

The impact of school meals can be even greater for adolescent girls—well-nourished adolescent girls achieve better learning outcomes, delay marriage and early pregnancy, and have the opportunity to advance their lives. Yet the survey found that countries where early marriage and pregnancy rates are the highest have the lowest levels of secondary school feeding programs.

“I will not rest until every child in Africa has at least two meals a day and can go to school, because then maybe they will have a chance of following in my footsteps—have a right to control their destiny.” said Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Special Envoy for 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit

The Global Child Nutrition Foundation works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to learning for any child. Together we advocate for school feeding programs as a powerful investment in every child’s human capital; share best practices and research among our peers; and provide support through forging valuable partnerships and connecting resources to meet the needs of our network members.

GCNF’s goal is to conduct its survey every two to three years to provide a systematically updated view of school feeding programs around the world. The upcoming 2021 Global Survey of School Meal Programs © aims to capture the impact of the pandemic for at least one full school year, utilizing the 2019 survey as a baseline.

“We have so much more information than before and we can see the landscape of school feeding from multiple angles,” said Mitchell. “But most topics require more in-depth examination and, above all, action. COVID-19 has heightened the urgency for action.”

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Contact Information:

Global Child Nutrition Foundation

Rebecca Steelman

Communications Officer

206-258-6749
rebecca@gcnf.org

 

Jennifer Shin

Senior Program Officer

jennifer@gcnf.org