Turkish students protest food shortages and rising meal costs

Students in Turkey are facing significant food insecurity due to administrative delays and rising costs. At state-run dormitories managed by the Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK), a delay in the tender process for cafeteria and canteen services has left many students without access to meals as the academic term began.

Simultaneously, students at Istanbul University have staged protests against substantial increases in meal prices. Following a recent 34.62% hike, which raised the cost of a single meal to 70 TL, students report that total price increases have reached 180% within a single year. Protesters have demanded the right to free, high-quality nutrition, arguing that current meal costs and insufficient scholarship amounts fail to meet basic needs amidst the ongoing economic crisis.