Beyond the lunch tray: a systematic review of school meals, social justice, and policy in Türkiye

This study examines the research published on school meal programs in Türkiye through the lenses of Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological model and Fraser’s social justice framework. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 21 studies published after 2000 were analyzed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings reveal a fragmented research landscape dominated by individual-level nutrition education interventions, with limited attention to institutional, community, and policy dimensions. Persistent disparities between public and private schools, urban and rural areas, and socio-economic groups highlight significant distributive and recognitive justice gaps. While some interventions improve short-term nutritional knowledge, evidence on long-term outcomes and inter-ministerial coordination remains scarce.