The doubling of meals distributed schools, says the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michaelidou.

“Our government has doubled the schools where school meals will be distributed every day. In the school year 2025-2026, 1918 school units will receive warm meals for students and their students in 153 municipalities in the country.

We are expanding the program of school meals and integrate 53 new elementary schools from all over Greece. More than 231,000 servings will be distributed daily and children will enjoy quality food in their schools, “Domna Michaelidou said after the signing of the Joint Ministerial Decision with the Minister of Education, Religions and Sports Sofia Zacharakis.

Ms Michaelidou emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister and the government in the “School Meals” program and proves, in particular, by the percentages: “The numbers speak for themselves. When we took over as a government, in 2019, school meals were distributed to 23.6% of schools. Today, the program has secured daily meals in 45% of the country’s primary schools.

Correspondingly, in 2019, the percentage of children who were fed through the program was 25.6% while today this figure has increased significantly to 47% of elementary students.

Impressive and the budget we secured for school meals of 112.3%, from € 54 million in 2019 to € 115 million in 2025.

Our commitment to family support and the well -being of children continues with the expansion of the program to more municipalities, to more families, to more children. “

The expansion of the program and the selection of municipalities, which are part of school lunches, is done by socio -economic criteria, so that the most vulnerable are prioritized. In particular, the indicators of per capita income and unemployment, as well as local characteristics, such as acritical, inaccessible, islanders, are taken into account.

Ms Michaelidou talked about the institution that strengthens solidarity in the student community from the early school years “for the school year 2025 – 2026, the school meals program will reach every corner of Greece and offer highly nutritional meals and all of them.”

In addition, the Minister highlighted the role of the program in the practical and daily support of the Greek family: “It is very important for parents to know that their child’s lunch is a state -covered supply. This concern is part of government policy for addressing the demographic issue and is a national priority. “

The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, through the Organization of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity, implements the school luncheon program, a strong social program following European standards for equal access to every aspect of school activity.