The state pays a school lunch subsidy of one euro per student per day. This amount will not change in the near future.
The subsidy amount is 175 euros per child per year. In some cities, parents have to pay extra. For example, in Tartu, school lunch can cost up to 3.09 euros.
Costs have risen. Raw materials, labor, and energy have become more expensive. The one-euro subsidy no longer covers all expenses.
School lunch funding depends on the state, local governments, and parents. In some municipalities, poorer families receive free school lunches.
The state does not plan to increase the subsidy. The Ministry of Education emphasizes that teacher salaries are the priority.
The price of school lunch depends on the location. For example, in Tallinn, school lunch costs 1.86 euros, while in Tartu, it can cost up to 3.09 euros.
The question is, what kind of school food do we want, and how much are we willing to pay for it? The state subsidy is approximately 30–32 million euros per year.