First Lady Olena Zelenska took part in the strategic session "School Nutrition Reform: Strategic Development in the Context of War and Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine". The event, which took place in Kyiv, was also joined by Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhiy Shkarlet, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, and Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Ukraine Claude Wild.
The purpose of the session was to develop a draft strategy for reforming the school nutrition system and attracting foreign investment in the development and restoration of educational institutions. Work on the strategy began last year in January and was interrupted by the Russian invasion.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Antimonopoly Committee, Prozorro, other government agencies, NGOs, and international donors. The parties discussed the draft strategy and elaborated a plan for the development of the reform with a focus on the restoration of educational institutions, social support and development of human resources potential.
"It is often said that the war took a year of life from each of us, Ukrainians. In this case, we can say that it took away a year of healthy nutrition from our children. If it was not for the Russian attack, we would probably be talking about achievements, growth and changes today. But now our achievement is that despite the war and all the ordeals, we are here and we are going to continue," the First Lady said opening the session.
Olena Zelenska emphasized that the reform of school meals is back on track. According to her, it is now not only about the menu and nutrition, but also about care.
"This is exactly what gives us all the strength to hold on during the invasion," she added.
Four areas of further work were presented at the meeting:
- organization of good nutrition (procurement and financing);
- restoration and modernization of catering facilities, implementation of and compliance with the HACCP system;
- development of human resources potential;
- creating a culture of healthy nutrition, introducing new standards and menus.
The President's wife thanked the representatives of central executive authorities, state institutions, partner organizations of the reform, organizers of the session, and donor representatives for their involvement, active position and hard work. The First Lady also expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, Ambassador Claude Wild and the Ukrainian-Swiss project DECIDE for supporting the reform and organizing the strategic session.
"Reform is coming back to contribute to Ukraine's victory. Because it is the contribution of each of us that makes up the victory," Olena Zelenska summarized.
