“By ensuring that all children have access to quality food, we are not only promoting equal opportunities in the school context but also contributing to their healthy development and academic success”, says the Mayor.
Schools in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António recorded an increase in the number of school meals served due to the implementation of free meals for all students, a measure adopted by the municipality in January 2024.
A statement from the Municipality of VRSA explains that “in addition to representing important support for families in times of greater economic pressure, the initiative has also promoted healthy eating habits among children in the municipality, contributing to their physical and cognitive health”.
With this measure, the city hall stressed that school cafeterias serve an average of 1,700 meals a day in this 2024/2025 school year, an increase of around 90% compared to the previous school year.
The entity emphasises that “the nutritional standards and variety of meals are tailored to cater to various age groups, guaranteeing that every child, from preschoolers to high school students, receives meals that are nutritionally balanced and appropriate for their requirements.”
The school lunch programme, overseen by QualiXXI, which conducts regular inspections in cafeterias, received a «Very Good» rating in all assessments performed in October. The results of these audits highlight the high level of hygiene and organisation observed in school establishments supervised through the HACCP system.
The city council states that the school groups’ directors prepare the menus and follow the guidelines of the reference for a «Healthy Food Offer,» promoting a balanced diet suited to the students’ needs.
Furthermore, the municipality clarifies that it has invested in purchasing products from local suppliers, “promoting the municipality’s economy and contributing to environmental sustainability”.
Given the increase in demand and costs associated with acquiring foodstuffs, the competence delegation contracts established between the city hall and the school groups needed to be expanded.
The amount allocated to providing meals was increased by another €100 000 for the D. José I School Group, now totalling €350 000, and by a further €50 000 for the Vila Real de Santo António School Group, now totalling €150 000.
In total, the municipality will invest half a million euros in school canteens this current school year.
For the Mayor of Vila Real de Santo António, Álvaro Araújo, “free school meals are an essential social response at a time of great demand for many families. By ensuring that all children have access to quality food, we are not only promoting equal opportunities in the school context but also contributing to their healthy development and academic success”.
