The school nutrition system in Ukraine is going through an important stage of change, and this is not just a reform to tick a box. The school menu is more than lunch in the school cafeteria; it is the key to the health, development and successful future of every child. This became the main topic of the first European regional school nutrition summit, which is taking place on November 12-13 in Kyiv. The event, which gathered about 500 participants from different parts of the world, launched an important dialogue about the future of school meals, involving not only Ukrainian experts, but also international representatives of the UN World Food Program, the WHO Office in Ukraine, UNICEF, the UN Development Program and the World the bank About this reported Ministry of Reintegration.
The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, who actively supports the idea of healthy food for schoolchildren, was present at the summit. She emphasized that the reform of school meals is one of the important steps in the restoration of Ukraine. And indeed, school meals are an investment in a healthy generation that is able to focus on studies, lead an active lifestyle and not suffer from chronic diseases in the future.
At first glance, it seems that school meals are a simple process. However, its organization is associated with many difficulties. Outdated canteen infrastructure, lack of qualified personnel and limited funding prevent the implementation of quality food in many schools. The summit in Kyiv showed that even simple things like modern cooking equipment and access to fresh ingredients can be out of reach for many educational institutions, especially in remote areas. Modernization of school kitchens, including the installation of the latest equipment, is an urgent need for many Ukrainian schools.
Another difficulty is the lack of qualified cooks and nutritionists who understand the needs of children of different ages. The culinary skills of the school staff depend on whether the children will receive a healthy, tasty and balanced meal, because it should satisfy not only the nutritional needs, but also the taste preferences of the children. As noted by experts at the summit, popularization of professional training of cooks for schools can solve the problem of lack of knowledge in the field of children’s nutrition.
No less important is the formation of a proper nutrition culture among children. The summit emphasized that this task is not limited only to providing a balanced menu — it is also necessary to educate children in a conscious attitude to food choices. This can be done through educational programs and special events aimed at explaining the importance of healthy eating. Imagine how children learn about the benefits of fresh vegetables, proteins, whole grains, dairy products, and these are not just words in class, but part of their daily practice.
International partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the UN and the World Bank are supporting Ukraine’s efforts by providing advisory assistance and resources to implement the reform. Thanks to this, Ukraine has the opportunity to learn from the experience of other countries and implement the best practices of school meals. International support allows not only to gain knowledge, but also to provide funding for such necessary changes as the modernization of canteens, the training of cooks and the development of educational programs for schoolchildren.
One of the important topics of the summit was the participation of communities in school nutrition reform. Local communities should be more actively involved in the process, because it is they who can ensure effective control and implementation of changes. For example, communities can organize meetings with parents and teachers to discuss nutrition issues and involve them in evaluating the quality of food in schools. Moreover, when children and parents understand the importance of healthy eating, it becomes a natural part of life, not a temporary fad.
The European regional summit in Kyiv showed that changes in school meals are not only possible, but also necessary. It’s more than just a menu improvement—it’s an investment in the future that starts with every meal. High-quality nutrition in schools allows children to be energetic, healthy and open to learning. The reform of school meals is a step towards creating a society where taking care of children’s health is one of the main priorities. And now, when this step has been taken at the international level, there are more opportunities in Ukraine to create a new, high-quality school food system that will benefit more than one generation.
