Across 13 countries, 1,235 children shared their experiences of school meals with child researchers. Their voices carried a clear message: school meals matter to us. They can mean the difference between children being hungry and being able to focus, between dropping out and staying in class, between being overlooked and being heard. Children highlighted the strengths of school meals programmes, as well as the gaps. Many valued meals that gave them energy and supported their learning, while others pointed out where food was repetitive, too little, or prepared unhygienically. They called for bigger portions, more variety, safer kitchens, and greater opportunities to be consulted. In Lebanon, where no national school meals programme exists, children spoke of hunger, fatigue, and dropout, but also imagined a different reality: hot, healthy meals served with dignity, schools that nurture both body and mind, and a system that upholds their right to education. What stands out is that children are not passive recipients; they are agents of change who can offer concrete solutions. They see school meals not only as food, but as a pathway to learning, health, participation, and belonging. For many, school meals are the reason they come to school and the reason they stay. Listening to their voices is not just a matter of respect, but about making programmes work better. When children help shape school meals, these programmes can nourish them today and help secure their futures.