The government allocated an additional UAH 7.4 billion for free school meals
Kyiv • UNN
The government distributed UAH 7.4 billion to local budgets for school meals. In total, UAH 14.4 billion is allocated for 2026 for free student meals.
Communities will receive an additional UAH 7.4 billion for organizing meals in schools starting September 1. This was reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, writes UNN.
Communities must conduct all procurements in advance and organize high-quality meals for all schoolchildren starting September 1. To this end, the government has allocated an additional over UAH 7.4 billion to local budgets
In total, the state budget for 2026 provides an unprecedented amount for free meals for students – UAH 14.4 billion.
Svyrydenko also noted that the meal procedure in Ukraine has been updated to remove any bureaucratic restrictions. This allows organizing meals not only in canteen premises while complying with sanitary standards. The main thing is safety and quality.
The expansion of the program is part of the implementation of the School Meals Reform Strategy until 2027, which is being implemented on the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
Let us remind you
Starting September 2026, students in grades 1–11 across the country will receive free meals. The government allocated almost UAH 6 billion for the first stage of the program, and in total, the State Budget for 2026 provides UAH 14.4 billion.