State Subsidy for School Canteen Modernization
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a second allocation of 421.1 million hryvnias in subsidies to equip school dining halls across 15 regions. These funds will be used to purchase new equipment and modernize 25 food preparation units. Currently, around 20% of school kitchen facilities in Ukraine have been upgraded—188 of them through state subsidies, and over 1,500 through local budget funding and support from international partners.
Earlier, the government had set aside 46.5 million hryvnias to complete the renovation of 19 school cafeterias, with work beginning in 2025. Importantly, funding was granted only to projects that had reached at least 60% completion. For 2026, the national budget includes 14.4 billion hryvnias for school meals, along with 1 billion hryvnias in subsidies specifically for modernizing kitchen blocks.
Introduction of Free Meals for All Students
Starting in September 2026, free meals are planned to be introduced for all students from grades 1 through 11 nationwide. Currently, hot lunches are provided to students in frontline communities, while pupils in grades 1–4 in other regions also have access to hot meals.
“Food in educational institutions must be safe and of high quality. This fosters a culture of healthy eating and is an investment in children's future,” said Yulia Svyrydenko.
Implementing free meals for all school-age children represents a major step toward improving access to nutritious food, especially amid today’s challenges. The kitchen modernization program will also help raise safety and quality standards in school meals, positively impacting student health and well-being. These measures underscore the state’s commitment to investing in education and the health of the younger generation—a critical priority for the country’s future.