Public‑Private Engagement Program

Why GCNF?

We offer a credible and nimble strategy, bridging gaps that other institutions – constrained by bureaucracies or broader mandates – cannot easily navigate.

GCNF’s strategy for private sector engagement is grounded in our mission to ensure school meals sustainably nourish all children and help them, their families, communities, and nations to thrive. This mission requires transparent, mutually beneficial public and private partnerships.

GCNF approaches public-private sector engagement in school meals with intention by:

With the Private Sector:

Prioritizing the health and nutrition of students over marketing and brand visibility
Encouraging realistic, responsible contributions aligned with long-term impact
Promoting healthy market dynamics
Ensuring transparency and accountability through mutual standards and trust

With the Public Sector:

Advancing student health and well-being as a top priority in policy and practice
Streamlining processes and minimizing bureaucracy
Upholding fair, consistent, and transparent procurement and contracting
Championing good governance and accountability

Our Approach

1. Mediator of Public-Private Engagement::

With deep knowledge of the school feeding landscape and a reputation for impartial insights, GCNF is well positioned to bridge interests, mediate tensions, and ensure that private sector engagement contributes meaningfully and equitably to sustainable, country-led school meal programs.

As a mediator for public-private engagement in school meal programs, GCNF:

Identifies and delineate interests and opportunities
Studies challenges and outline options for resolving them
Structures dialogue and facilitates alignment
Provides ongoing support—from initial engagement to long-term problem-solving

2. Knowledge Sharing::

GCNF synthesizes and disseminates knowledge in support of private sector engagement in school feeding. Through our Global Survey of School Meal Programs© data, international convenings, country experience, and case studies, we provide insights into what works, where the needs are, and how companies can engage responsibly and effectively.

3. Addressing Research Gaps::

GCNF partners with governments, businesses, associations, NGOs, universities and others on key research questions that advance the work of school feeding. Current research includes a study of school menus using the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS), a case study on private sector engagement in a specific Latin American country, and analyzing the influence of institutional food procurement on nutrition, food quality and safety and sustainable food systems.

Public-Private Engagement

GCNF brings governments and businesses to the same table.

GCNF’s Public-Private Sector Engagement is built on:

Why GCNF?

GCNF approaches public-private sector engagement in school meals with intention by:

With the Private Sector:

With the Public Sector:

Our Approach

1. Mediator of Public-Private Engagement::

2. Knowledge Sharing::

3. Addressing Research Gaps::

Interested in working with GCNF on one of our approaches to public-private engagement?

Are you a private sector entity?

Are you a government, NGO, or university?