Milestone · July 8, 2026
The number
4.9 million meals across sixty-one school kitchens, feeding 26,400 children every school day. Two years ago the figure was 3.7 million. The food cost per plate came down a cent, to 25, despite grain price movement — mostly because of the local buying below.
Buying closer to home
76% of grain and produce is now purchased from smallholders in the same district, up from 51% in 2024. Shorter supply chains survive a bad road better, and the money stays in the economy around the school rather than leaving it.
What keeping it going costs
Feeding one child for a full school year costs about $47.50 in food. A $10 monthly gift covers two children and change. If you already give monthly, this is where your money went.