A study of efforts to provide meals to schoolchildren, tracing the shift from voluntary charity to public provision, examining legislative and administrative arrangements, selection and service procedures, and the roles of local authorities and voluntary committees. It assesses the prevalence and causes of malnutrition, evaluates effects of feeding programs on children's health and family circumstances, and considers implications for policy. Regional case studies, practical menus, and comparisons with provision in other areas and countries illustrate successes, logistical challenges, and recommendations for more systematic, equitable feeding services.