Quality Management Practices on the Performance of the School Feeding Program Project in Gakenke District, Rwanda

School Feeding Programs (SFPs) contribute to improving learners’ nutrition, school attendance, retention, learning outcomes, and well-being. However, their effectiveness depends on appropriate Quality Management Practices (QMPs), including quality planning, quality assurance, quality control, and monitoring and evaluation. This study examined the influence of QMPs on the performance of the School Feeding Program in Gakenke District, Rwanda. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining descriptive and correlational approaches. The study targeted 668 stakeholders, from whom 250 respondents were selected using proportionate and simple random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document review and analysed using SPSS Version 25. Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple linear regression were used to examine relationships and effects among the study variables. The findings revealed strong positive and statistically significant relationships between program performance and quality planning (r = .758), quality assurance (r = .821), quality control (r = .779), and monitoring and evaluation (r = .829), all at p < .001. The regression model explained 80.6% of the variation in program performance (R² = .806). Quality assurance was the strongest significant predictor (β = .363, p < .001), followed by monitoring and evaluation (β = .273, p < .001) and quality control (β = .237, p < .001). Quality planning had a positive but statistically non-significant effect (β = .094, p = .055). The study concludes that effective quality assurance, quality control, and monitoring and evaluation are critical to improving School Feeding Program performance and sustainability. Strengthening quality management systems, staff capacity, monitoring mechanisms, and stakeholder participation is therefore recommended.