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Emmanuel Grégoire Launches Free School Meals in Paris

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The Editor

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It was one of his major campaign promises, and Emmanuel Grégoire has kept his word. Since yesterday, several thousand schoolchildren have been enjoying free meals in the capital's primary schools. A social and economic measure that has been welcomed by many parents.

For many of us, it's a childhood trauma. Back then, school lunch often meant cold beans, cardboard breaded fish and Piedmont salad drowning in mayonnaise. A trauma that unfortunately extends to many parents, sometimes due to their inability to afford meals for their children. A disastrous situation that the Mayor of Paris has decided to tackle.


Thousands of families benefit

Every day, more than 100,000 children eat lunch in the capital's primary schools. And for 17,000 of them, since Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, meals are now free. Indeed, Paris City Hall has decided to provide full coverage of meals (lunch and snack) for children from the most disadvantaged families.

your favorites. A program that concerns the two lowest family income brackets, representing no fewer than 2.5 million meals per year, and an additional cost of 1.2 million euros for the city. Combined with genuine work on organic produce and short supply chains, this new offer allows children from families facing financial difficulties to enjoy balanced, quality meals.


A promise for everyone

For other families, where the cost of one meal per day per child can reach up to €7 (for €13 in real value), the mayor of Paris has decided to take action too, by announcing a price freeze until the end of his term in 2032. Excellent news that could, however, come at a cost for the city, since if meal prices won't increase, those of raw materials and energy likely won't stay fixed. A measure that the mayor fully stands behind, emphasizing the importance of healthy, balanced and organic food, no matter the cost. The question remains whether he hasn't bitten off more than he can chew…

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