The Russian government is considering extending the provision of free hot meals to middle school students. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko announced this initiative on June 11 during a government session in the State Duma.

Chernyshenko stated that the government will explore the possibility of gradually increasing the age range for free hot meal eligibility. He emphasized the importance of balanced nutrition in developing healthy habits in children, suggesting that the longer students have access to organized meals, the better.

Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, acknowledged the proposal and stressed the need for careful evaluation. She stated that they need to carefully calculate and assess their capabilities to implement the expansion.

The announcement follows earlier statements from St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, who indicated that over half of the students in St. Petersburg schools will receive free meals in the upcoming academic year. Subsidies are already available to elementary school students, children from low-income families, disabled children, and children whose parents participated or are participating in the SMO, among others.