The Tallinn Education Department has launched a program that provides all municipal school students with a free hot breakfast. The necessary preparations were carried out in January, and as of today, all schools have joined the program. Currently, approximately 4,000 students are taking advantage of this opportunity.
Deputy Mayor Aleksei Jašin emphasized that free breakfast is an important step in improving children’s well-being and fostering healthy eating habits. “In the context of economic challenges, families’ financial situations vary, and for many children, school meals are their only opportunity to receive a hot meal. Tallinn is committed to taking comprehensive steps to reduce socio-economic inequality in education, including supporting children’s basic needs. Many schools had already been offering breakfast, but this year, we decided to extend this opportunity to all municipal schools,” Jašin stated. “Providing free breakfast not only eases financial strain on families but also helps develop healthier habits among younger generations,” he added.
In Tallinn’s 2025 budget, €48,000 has been allocated to provide additional meals, ensuring that students receive free breakfast in addition to their regular school lunch. Over the course of January, all municipal schools joined the program and now offer a warm meal every morning.
Currently, approximately 4,000 students benefit from this initiative daily, making up around 10% of all students. It is expected that this number will continue to grow as new schools join the program and breakfast gains popularity among students.
Source: tallinn.ee