A method and computer usable program product for generating meal plans based on a set of nutritional policies. The process determines nutritional requirements specified by a set of nutritional policies in response to receiving a request for a set of meal plans for a set of users. The set of nutritional policies correspond to the set of users. The process identifies a set of potential meal plans in response to determining the nutritional requirements specified by the set of nutritional policies. Each potential meal plan in the set of potential meal plans satisfies all nutritional requirements for the set of nutritional policies. The process generates a listing of ingredients required by the selected meal plan that is unavailable in a current inventory in an amount required by the selected meal plan, in response to receiving a selection of a potential meal plan to form a selected meal plan.