In 2023, children from low-income families in Odesa receive hot meals in schools for grades 1-4 and 5-11.
During wartime, children spend 3.5 hours in school. Therefore, if a student attends the first shift, they receive breakfast worth 55 UAH, and if they attend the second shift, they receive lunch valued at 80 UAH.
In October, the city received a state subsidy for meals for all 1-4 grade students until the end of the year.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine the subsidy covers 70% of the meal costs for 1-4 grade students. The Odesa City Council approved an additional 30% (15 million UAH) from the budget during an extraordinary session on October 25.
Thus, after the tender process, all 1-4 grade students will receive either breakfast or lunch until the end of 2024, depending on their shift.
Students in grades 5-11 belonging to low-income categories, including children of combatants, will also continue to receive free meals funded by the Odesa city budget.