The programme now covers up to 2,000 primary schools and 240,000 meals a day, with new emphasis on delivery checks, sampling and complaints procedures.
School meal distribution has begun for the new academic year in Greece, with the government presenting the scheme as both wider in reach and tighter in oversight. According to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, the programme now covers 160 municipalities and 2,000 primary schools, with capacity for up to 240,000 meals a day. OPEKA said separately that the rollout began on Tuesday, 13 October, and one report noted a slightly different count of 159 municipalities and 1,982 schools, underscoring how the final figures can shift as the programme is updated.
Domna Michailidou, the minister responsible, said the central priority was not simply volume but the quality of the meal arriving in each child’s hands. In a statement carried by several Greek outlets, she said families should know there is a clear process for raising concerns if something seems wrong with a meal. For many households, the programme remains an important daily support, especially at a time when food costs continue to strain family budgets.
The ministry says each school has a three-member receiving committee tasked with checking delivery time, quantity, temperature, transport conditions and the type of meal itself. The committee also takes random samples to examine composition, packaging and labelling. Any irregularities are recorded in the relevant protocol and investigated, a system intended to catch problems early and limit the risk of unsafe or unsuitable food reaching pupils. Parents who spot an issue are asked first to contact the school administration and, if needed, to reach OPEKA on 1555.
The programme has expanded sharply in recent years. Greek reporting in 2023 said school meals were being distributed earlier than in previous years and reached 1,658 schools in 134 municipalities, with up to 217,267 meals a day. Against that backdrop, this year’s launch suggests both a broader footprint and a stronger emphasis on monitoring. For parents, the practical message is straightforward: the meals are meant to be free, nutritious and closely supervised, and there is now a formal route for complaints if standards are not met.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
