Health Festival Promotes Ukraine School Reform

First Lady Olena Zelenska and Education and Science Minister Andrii Butenko attended a healthy-eating festival in Chernivtsi as part of Ukraine’s School Nutrition Reform. The July 29 event brought together students, parents and educators at several educational institutions in the Bukovyna region.

The “Bukovyna Health Food” festival featured quizzes, a food-composition laboratory and discussions with psychologists on the relationship between emotions and eating habits. Parents also took part in an expert discussion on family nutrition and had the opportunity to prepare healthy meals and drinks.

The festival continued at Horishni Sherivtsi Lyceum, where adults received practical advice during a Healthy Taste Workshop held in the school cafeteria and kitchen. During a separate meeting, Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration head Ruslan Osypenko discussed implementation of the school nutrition strategy in the region.

Zelenska said the reform, launched in 2021, aims to encourage a generation of children to choose healthy, high-quality food. She added that families and communities must support those habits at home and contribute to children’s food security.