School №15, located in "Cheremushki" district, introduces new food standards for pupils. Children will have an updated menu, and food will be prepared on the latest equipment from Monday. Such changes became possible within the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska to reform school nutrition. Mayor Vadym Boichenko, Minister of Education and Science Serhii Shkarlet, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Ivan Lukerya and Regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko praised modern approaches to nutrition.
According to the school principal Tatiana Lugova, the institution started repair works last year, including new bathrooms, new sports infrastructure - all for a comfortable stay of children. The key element was the renovated dining room.
New equipment was installed here - a combi steamer, refrigerators, a dishwasher, a multifunctional frying pan and a vegetable processing machine. The equipment was purchased with the support of the International Charitable Foundation "Yellow-Blue Wings" and All-Ukrainian non-governmental organization "Riadom" in partnership with ChildFund Deutschland, with the financial support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ).
Due to the reform of school nutrition, children get a new menu. It does not contain sausages, canned food and carbonated beverages. There are more vegetables and fresh fruits in a portion. In addition to 15 schools, it is being piloted at secondary schools №10, 26, 53, 66.
During the visit, a Memorandum was signed on the comprehensive renovation of food units in all educational institutions. Vadym Boichenko noted that such projects are possible only due to the joint work of central, regional and local authorities.
‘It is important for children to see that the country and our hometown are changing. These changes open up new conditions and opportunities. Opportunities to eat healthy food and conditions for maintaining your health. Our goal is to make all the food units of Mariupol schools look like in 15 schools in four years,’ the Mayor said.
Serhii Shkarlet noted that the dining room of Mariupol school is exemplary for the whole of Ukraine.
‘Everywhere I cite Mariupol as an example of the way how a city that is especially concerned with the development of education is preparing the future generation. This project is associated with our future, the step when healthy habits will enter every Ukrainian family. Every child should realize that being healthy is fashionable. All this became possible under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska,’ the Minister stressed.
Ivan Lukeria added that the food block renovation project shows how Ukraine is moving away from the Soviet past with gray dining rooms and creating comfortable conditions for children with modern, tasty dishes. According to him, the Donetsk region and Mariupol are in the center of attention of the government. Thus, within the framework of Ukraine's cooperation with the European Investment Bank, projects that will be financed in our region are being determined.
Pavlo Kyrylenko added that educational institutions are moving to a new level of functioning in the Donetsk region. One of the main components of the renovated schools is a new approach to healthy eating. It allows you to minimize manual labor and optimize energy costs.
At the end of the event, attendees were able to taste dishes prepared on the modern equipment.
