A total of 13,194 students enrolled in early childhood, primary, lower secondary education (ESO), basic vocational training and transition-to-adult-life programmes will have access to school meal and food assistance this academic year in both public and subsidised schools offering compulsory education.

The Regional Secretariat for Educational Development has released the official list of beneficiaries, reflecting an increase of 1,404 students compared to the previous year.

Regarding school lunch aid, 17,343 applications were submitted and 12,919 have been approved —up from 11,565 last year.
As for food-specific support, 275 applications out of 321 have been granted, resulting in 25 more beneficiaries than the previous school year.

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Over 13,000 students to receive school meal and food support during the 2025-2026 school year

For this programme, a total of €9,821,705.20 has been allocated: €9,631,449.20 for school lunch support and €190,256 for food assistance.

Expansion of school lunch services

The use of public school canteens continues to rise. During the 2024-2025 school year, a record number of 16,547 students used this service, strengthening the upward trend observed since the pandemic and the economic downturn.

This increase is linked to the measures adopted by the education authorities, such as the price cap per meal: €6.85 for regular users and €7.55 for occasional users, in effect since December 2024. With a cost of €560,962.04, this initiative helps ensure that families pay a reduced fixed maximum amount, while the administration covers the difference —especially benefiting those with fewer economic resources.