This situation analysis examines school menu composition, aquatic food inclusion, and procurement practices within Timor-Leste’s school meal program (SMP) across three municipalities: Lautem, Baucau, and Bobonaro. The study aimed to identify practical barriers and opportunities for integrating aquatic foods into school meals to improve dietary diversity, nutritional adequacy, and the resilience of Timor-Leste’s island food systems. A rapid appraisal approach was used, combining structured questionnaires, informal conversations, and field observations in 60 purposively selected schools. Schools were chosen based on geographic characteristics – including coastal villages, aquaculture villages, municipal capitals, and main inland roads – theorized to influence access to aquatic foods. Fieldwork took place from 13 to 31 October 2025.