The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a generous contribution of US$2.7 million from global fashion brand Michael Kors to strengthen Sri Lanka’s National School Meals Programme. The funding, made through Michael Kors’ long-running “Watch Hunger Stop” campaign, will support WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) initiative, which connects school meal programs with local food production systems.
The new funding will allow WFP to expand the HGSF program from eight to ten districts, ensuring that 250,000 children receive daily nutritious meals over the next three years. It will also benefit 1,500 local farmers and caterers by enabling them to supply schools with fresh, locally sourced produce. Additionally, 30 schools will receive infrastructure improvements, including solar-powered kitchens that lower costs, reduce emissions, and promote environmental sustainability.
WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director, Philip Ward, expressed gratitude for Michael Kors’ partnership, emphasizing that school meals are vital for many families. He highlighted how the program not only nourishes children but also relies on the efforts of local caterers and farmers who make it possible every day.
The HGSF initiative aims to enhance the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s school meals program by strengthening local food systems and empowering women farmers and meal providers. By encouraging the production of vegetables and poultry, it enables schools to serve fresh, nutritious meals while supporting rural livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment. The initiative also contributes to building national resilience against food insecurity.
As part of its 2025 campaign, Michael Kors has launched two special-edition T-shirts featuring photographs by Maxime Poiblanc that showcase produce grown through the HGSF initiative in Sri Lanka. Made from a cotton and linen blend, the shirts are available globally, with all profits donated to WFP.
Michael Kors’ partnership with WFP began in 2013, reflecting a shared commitment to providing nutritious school meals for children in food-insecure regions. Over the past decade, the brand’s support has helped WFP deliver more than 35 million school meals worldwide.
