Free meals in schools: which new categories of students will receive benefits
21 March 2025 05:11
Ukraine is expanding its free school meals program. Starting in September 2025, students in grades 5-11 studying in the frontline regions will also be provided with lunches. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Who already receives free meals?
Currently, more than 1.6 million students in Ukrainian schools receive free meals thanks to state subsidies and local budgets. Starting in October 2024, this number will be expanded to include all primary school students, for whom hot meals will become a mandatory norm. This decision is the result of joint efforts of the President, the Government and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which prioritize children’s health even in difficult times.
“One of the Ministry’s goals is to create a safe educational environment in educational institutions. Thanks to the gradual expansion of the program, even more Ukrainian students will be able to receive healthy and nutritious meals free of charge,” said Andriy Stashkiv, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.
What will change in 2025-2026?
- From September 2025, all students in grades 5-11 in the frontline and border regions will receive free meals.
- From September 2026, the program will cover students in grades 5-6 in all regions of Ukraine.
- In the following years, the program will gradually expand to other grades across the country.
Main challenges of the reform
Several key issues need to be addressed for the successful implementation of the reform:
- Renovation of school canteens – modernization of premises for comfortable meals for students.
- Modernization of food service units – purchase of new equipment for cooking healthy meals.
- Staff training – creation of culinary hubs and professional development programs for cooks.
- Attracting professionals – implementing an effective motivational model to attract qualified professionals to the school catering sector.
- Quality control – strengthening safety standards and food inspection.
The reform is being implemented in cooperation with the School Nutrition Reform Team, which provides expert support and advice.
Why is this reform important?
“Free meals are not only a matter of health, but also of social justice. Students can study without worrying about their basic needs, and every year the reform will cover more and more classes,” said Orest Stepaniak, Head of the School Nutrition Reform Team.
About the school feeding reform
The reform was launched in 2020 and aims to improve the health of Ukrainian children. Its key achievements:
- Promoting a culture of healthy eating among children and parents.ole food quality – introducing new safety and food standards.
- Updated school menu with healthy dishes.
- Large-scale modernization of canteens: 210 facilities are planned to be renovated in 2025.
- Professional development courses for cooks.
