In April 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture conducted an assessment of Mali’s school feeding situation and related local agricultural production and supply. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and with technical assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme, the assessment’s purpose was to examine the feasibility of locally-produced school feeding programmes to raise income levels and improve livelihoods for small holder Malian farmers, particularly women. In response to a request from the Government of Mali, the team also reviewed and provided recommendations related to the government’s draft plan for school feeding.