Ukraine Boosts School Meal Reforms

In a significant development, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska recently announced the successful expansion of the school nutrition reform initiated at the start of 2025. Over two million children across Ukraine, including those in frontline and border regions, now benefit from free hot meals, a program that extends beyond primary students to encompass grades 5–11.

The state has committed substantial financial resources to this initiative, allocating over 7 billion hryvnias in 2025 to support local budgets. This funding has facilitated the expansion of meal programs and the modernization of kitchen facilities within schools. This year alone, 75 new projects focusing on cafeteria upgrades have been implemented, with 47 completed and 28 nearing completion.

The reform’s strategic objectives emphasize equal access to quality nutrition, supporting families, and fostering a culture of healthy eating among students. Amendments to governmental resolutions now ensure that meals are provided even during emergencies, such as interruptions caused by military conflicts. Furthermore, a significant focus has been placed on international cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of these nutritional programs.

As part of the ongoing development, Ukraine has also seen the inauguration of new “kitchen factories” that centralize meal preparation for schools, with the most recent opening in the Kharkiv region. Additionally, over 3,000 school cafeteria cooks received advanced training in 2025, underscoring the reform’s commitment to improving meal quality and nutrition education nationwide.