School meals reform: 2 million children already receive free hot meals, with Government preparing to scale up programme
The school meals reform in Ukraine for 2023–2025 has moved from isolated decisions to a systematic government policy covering children's health, infrastructure, funding, staffing and the promotion of a healthy nutrition culture. This topic was discussed during a working meeting to summarise the implementation of the School Meal Reform Strategy.
As of today, 2 million children in Ukraine already receive free hot meals. The next strategic goal is to cover 3–3.5 million students, ensuring equal access to quality and safe food regardless of place of residence.
State policy and the role of communities
During the meeting, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko noted the systemic nature of the changes and emphasised that the state is creating tools for the implementation of the reform, while communities are choosing the optimal models for its implementation.
She also stressed that the school nutrition reform is long-term, creates new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, and that grant programmes are set to continue next year. In the frontline regions, a pilot programme to expand free meals for pupils in grades 5–11 was launched in September.
The initiator of the reform, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, stressed the importance of fostering a culture of healthy eating from childhood.
"School lunches that are high-quality, fresh, and guaranteed by the state and the community are a form of care and a manifestation of stability, which all of us are currently lacking. This confidence must be the same in cities far from the front lines, in frontline cities, and in the smallest towns. Equality in children's nutrition is strategic for us," emphasised Olena Zelenska.
First Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Roman Yermolychev noted that the key task for the state is the financial sustainability of the reform and the predictability of budget decisions.
"School meals are not just about menus or equipment. They are an investment in children's health, human capital and the future of the country. That is why the state is building this reform as a long-term policy rather than a short-term project," said Roman Yermolychev.
Infrastructure: state support for communities
The state provides communities with infrastructure support through subsidies for the modernisation and equipping of canteens. In 2024–2025, UAH 2.5 billion was allocated from the state budget for more than 250 projects, of which UAH 1.2 billion will be disbursed in 2025.
Some UAH 1 billion has already been allocated for 2026. Funding is provided under the Ukraine Facility with the support of the European Union.
At the same time, Roman Yermolychev drew attention to the need for effective use of funds at the local level. "It is necessary to strengthen management decisions and community responsibilities, because this will determine when children feel real change," he stressed.
Free meals: gradual expansion
The expansion of the free hot meals programme is taking place in stages:
starting October 2024 — more than 1 million primary school pupils, with funding of UAH 2 billion;
starting 1 September 2025 — up to 1.5 million children, including pupils in grades 5–11 in frontline regions, with funding of UAH 8.2 billion;
starting 1 September 2026 — up to 3.5 million pupils, including all pupils in grades 5–11, with co-financing from local budgets. The state budget has already allocated UAH 14.4 billion for this purpose.
Staff, security and international support
In the context of war, the reform is being adapted to security challenges: provisions are being made for the organisation of meals in shelters, the use of ready-made or chilled meals, and alternative formats in the absence of electricity.
A separate focus is on staffing. A network of culinary hubs is being created in Ukraine, where school canteen cooks can improve their qualifications. Currently, 19 such projects have already been implemented or are in the process of being implemented with state subsidies.
The reform is also actively supported by international partners. With the assistance of the UN World Food Programme, UAH 0.4 billion was allocated to improve school meals in 2024–2025.
"The sustainability of the reform is based on three things: infrastructure, professional staff and stable funding. Only the combination of these elements will produce long-term results," emphasised Roman Yermolychev.
The updated Strategy for Reforming School Meals until 2027, adopted in 2025, focuses on sustainability, quality, safety and equal access to healthy food for children and is a key guideline for further development of the reform.