COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (LankaEducation)– The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a generous contribution of US$ 2.7 million from global fashion brand Michael Kors, strengthening Sri Lanka’s National School Meals Programme.
This funding, provided through the brand’s long-standing ‘Watch Hunger Stop’ campaign, will expand WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) initiative from eight to ten districts. Over the next three years, the programme will ensure that 250,000 schoolchildren receive daily nutritious meals, while also benefiting 1,500 local farmers and caterers who supply fresh, locally sourced produce.
Additionally, 30 schools will receive infrastructure upgrades, including solar-powered kitchens that reduce operational costs, lower carbon emissions, and promote sustainable practices.
“We deeply appreciate Michael Kors’ commitment and partnership in advancing Sri Lanka’s school meals programme,” said Philip Ward, WFP Representative and Country Director in Sri Lanka. “For many families, these meals are a lifeline—made possible by the dedication of caterers and farmers who support the programme every day.”
WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding initiative strengthens local food systems by empowering small-scale, primarily women farmers and school meal providers to grow their own produce and poultry. This approach not only improves child nutrition but also boosts women’s economic empowerment, supports rural livelihoods, and enhances national resilience against food insecurity.
As part of its 2025 Watch Hunger Stop campaign, Michael Kors has also launched two special-edition T-shirts featuring photographs by Maxime Poiblanc showcasing fruits and vegetables grown through WFP’s HGSF initiative in Sri Lanka. Made from a cotton-linen blend, the T-shirts are available worldwide at michaelkors.com and select stores, with all profits donated to WFP.
Since the partnership began in 2013, Michael Kors and WFP have shared a mission to deliver nutritious school meals to children in food-insecure regions. Over the past decade, the collaboration has helped WFP provide more than 35 million school meals globally.
