Starting from 2023, Odesa has implemented a hot meal program for students in primary and secondary schools from low-income families.

In wartime conditions, children spend 3.5 hours in school. Therefore, if a student attends the first shift, they receive a breakfast worth 55 UAH, and for the second shift, a lunch valued at 80 UAH.

In October, the city received state funding for the meals of all 1-4 grade students until the end of the year.

According to a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the subsidy covers 70% of the cost of meals for these students. An additional 30% (15 million UAH) was approved from the city budget during an extraordinary session of the Odesa City Council on October 25.

Thus, after the bidding process, all students in grades 1-4 will receive either breakfast or lunch until the end of 2024, depending on their shift.

Students in grades 5-11 who belong to low-income categories, including children of combatants (specified in a separate resolution by the OMC), will continue to receive meals funded by the Odesa city budget.