World Food Day 2025 was a powerful demonstration of action over rhetoric for the NICE project. In the cities of Dinajpur and Rangpur, we moved beyond awareness to actively scale a proven model for urban nutrition, showcasing what’s possible when an entire community unites around the health of its youngest generation.
The celebrations were a vibrant testament to a simple idea: when children have access to daily, hygienic, and nutritious food at school, we lay the foundation for a healthier, more food-secure future. This year, our focus was on strategic scale-up and amplifying the voices of those at the very heart of this initiative.
Dinajpur: A Blueprint for Expansion
In Dinajpur, the strategy was clear: demonstrate, engage, and replicate. The successful establishment of five model school canteens provided a live, working blueprint. These canteens are no longer a concept but a daily reality, serving as tangible proof that providing quality school meals is both feasible and impactful.
To catalyze wider change, we invited six additional schools to witness these operations firsthand. They toured the canteens, observed the workflows, and participated in a special “Healthy Cooking Practices” session—transforming theory into actionable, practical knowledge.
Crucially, this expansion is bolstered by the deep commitment of key government partners. The presence and active support of officials from Dinajpur Municipality, the Civil Surgeon Office, the Department of Agricultural Extension, and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority underscore the multi-sectoral collaboration essential for lasting change. This is the “hand in hand” partnership in action, ensuring the model is rooted in local governance and public health strategy.
Rangpur: The Next Generation Leads the Conversation
In Rangpur, the energy was channeled through the most vital stakeholders: the students. Gathering 11 schools at the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Public School & College, we created a platform where youth could lead the dialogue on their food future.
The testimonials were the highlight of the day. Students like Munjarin Idina from Babu Kha High School shared how their school canteen makes nutritious food accessible, while Ibrahim Khalil from Nisbetganj Jarimunnesa School highlighted its critical role when food from home isn’t an option. Their authentic voices brought the project’s impact to life more powerfully than any report ever could.
Complementing these stories, drawing and recipe contests turned local ingredients into visions of healthy plates, creatively embodying the theme “Hand in Hand, for better foods and better future.”
A Sustainable Model Rooted in Collaboration
The events in both cities highlight the core pillars of the NICE project’s approach:
- Demonstrable Success: The model canteens serve as our most persuasive tool, providing concrete evidence that de-risks adoption for new schools and strengthens partnership dialogues.
- Multi-Stakeholder Ownership: Lasting impact is impossible without the active involvement of city officials, education officers, and food safety authorities. Their engagement ensures the project’s successes are owned by the community and integrated into public systems.
The journey in Dinajpur and Rangpur confirms that a resilient urban food ecosystem is within reach. By starting with a scalable intervention, fuelling it with the energy of youth, and sustaining it through collaborative public commitment, we are not just serving meals—we are nurturing a new generation to shape a healthier future for all.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners, the participating schools, and the dynamic communities of Dinajpur and Rangpur for joining hands with us. The journey continues, hand in hand.