Greece launches expanded school meal program for 2,000 schools

The distribution of school meals for the new academic year has commenced in Greece. Managed by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, the expanded program now covers 2,000 primary schools across 160 municipalities, with the capacity to provide up to 240,000 meals daily.

To ensure food safety and nutritional balance, a three-member Receiving Committee operates in every school unit. This committee monitors daily delivery times, quantities, temperatures, transport conditions, and meal types, while also conducting random sampling of composition and packaging. Additionally, OPEKA and the Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) conduct inspections at production facilities, packaging sites, and transport vehicles.

The program selects schools based on socioeconomic and geographic criteria. Once a school is included, meals are provided to all students within that unit without individual income assessments to prevent social stigmatization. Minister Domna Michailidou emphasized that the priority is providing safe, balanced meals that serve as daily support for thousands of families.