New rules for the organization of food began to operate in schools in September

Since September 1, the institutions of general secondary education have introduced new approaches to catering for students. Alexander Chernikov, Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, told more about the changes during a direct line devoted to the topic of organizing the educational process in the new academic year, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

A man turned to a direct line, who said: he and his wife are disabled, raising a schoolgirl daughter. The girl receives food in the institution of general secondary education free of charge. Last year, the child was given lunch, and from this year - breakfast. Minchanin asked what was the reason for such a change.

- Indeed, in September, new rules for the organization of food began to operate in schools. First of all, we are talking about the introduction of a single type of meal for children who eat once a day. Now all high school students, as well as elementary school children studying in the first shift, receive a second breakfast, in the second shift - a luncheon. Both complexes are equivalent and consist of a hot dish and drink, Chernikov explained.

In addition, the diet is now calculated on three groups: for children of 1-5 classes, 6-8 and 9-11. Due to this, the volume of portions received by the guys has been adjusted. In the menu of the capital's schoolchildren still have their favorite dishes - pancakes with various fillings, cheesecakes, sausages, dumplings.

According to Chernikov, today schools have switched to those dishes that are eaten by children. After the first week of study, teachers note that children leave clean plates after eating, the amount of waste has significantly decreased.

In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of August 5, 2026 No. 400, vending machines are allowed in schools and gymnasiums for children as an additional to hot meals. The range of products that can be sold with the help of such automated buffets is determined taking into account the principles of children's diet. In Minsk, for example, in vending machines you can buy halva, goats, marshmallows, biscuits, nuts (except peanuts) and dried fruits, breads, water, juices, etc.

Such equipment is installed not in the dining room or buffet, but in the foyer, corridors and recreations of the educational institution, so that during the break the children could freely buy a useful snack. Last year, four such machines were installed in the capital’s educational institutions, about 30 more will appear in the next two months. During the year, virtually all schools and gymnasiums of the city will be equipped with such devices.

- We analyzed the effectiveness of vending machines. In the educational institutions where they were installed, children actively used them. They had to replenish their products four times a day, Chernikov said.