Taoyuan to Increase School Lunch Subsidies from September, Upgrading Meal Content Simultaneously
To address price changes and enhance the quality of school meals, Taoyuan City will increase the subsidy for elementary and junior high school lunches by NT$6 per meal starting in September, along with upgrading the menu.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 20:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 21:02 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 22:22 (1h 20m after Collected)
Central News Agency, Taoyuan, 13th - Taoyuan City has been providing free nutritious lunches for public elementary and junior high schools since February 2023. Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng announced today that to cope with price fluctuations and improve the quality of campus food supply, the subsidy per student per meal will be increased by NT$6 starting from the new semester in September, and the menu content will be upgraded.
During a municipal meeting this afternoon, Chang stated that Taoyuan was the first among the six special municipalities to implement free nutritious lunches for public elementary and junior high schools. To address price changes and continuously enhance the quality of campus food supply, the subsidy per student per meal will be increased by NT$6 from the new semester in September. After the adjustment, the subsidy amount will be NT$71.3 in general areas and NT$75.3 in remote areas.
Chang said that this year, in addition to continuing existing policies such as food and agriculture education and using local ingredients, the city is also introducing three major upgrades. First, the frequency of serving 'large cuts of meat' such as chicken, pork, and fish cutlets will be increased from once to twice a week. The weight of the meat cutlets will also be increased from 75 grams to over 100 grams to ensure children receive adequate protein.
Second is the introduction of a weekly 'Happy Meal,' featuring dishes loved by children like spaghetti and potato stew, supervised by nutritionists, or offering 'dual main courses' to balance taste and nutrition. Third is cross-sector collaboration, inviting renowned restaurants and chefs to participate, thereby increasing the diversity and sophistication of the cuisine.
Chang added that this is the first wave of cross-sector cooperation. The city government has invited local catering businesses such as the Monarch Skyline Hotel, known for its high-quality Jiangzhe and exquisite Japanese cuisine; Shu-Yuan Dining Culture, which excels in refined dishes using local ingredients; and Chuan Men Tzu, famous for its modern Chinese cuisine, to participate in menu design, with more to be added in the future.
Liu仲成, Director of the Taoyuan City Department of Education, stated that since the implementation of free nutritious lunches over three years ago, the subsidy standard has been adjusted twice, each time by NT$3. Starting from the new semester in September this year, it will be increased by another NT$6, aiming to elevate the lunch quality from 'A' to 'A+'. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150513
During a municipal meeting this afternoon, Chang stated that Taoyuan was the first among the six special municipalities to implement free nutritious lunches for public elementary and junior high schools. To address price changes and continuously enhance the quality of campus food supply, the subsidy per student per meal will be increased by NT$6 from the new semester in September. After the adjustment, the subsidy amount will be NT$71.3 in general areas and NT$75.3 in remote areas.
Chang said that this year, in addition to continuing existing policies such as food and agriculture education and using local ingredients, the city is also introducing three major upgrades. First, the frequency of serving 'large cuts of meat' such as chicken, pork, and fish cutlets will be increased from once to twice a week. The weight of the meat cutlets will also be increased from 75 grams to over 100 grams to ensure children receive adequate protein.
Second is the introduction of a weekly 'Happy Meal,' featuring dishes loved by children like spaghetti and potato stew, supervised by nutritionists, or offering 'dual main courses' to balance taste and nutrition. Third is cross-sector collaboration, inviting renowned restaurants and chefs to participate, thereby increasing the diversity and sophistication of the cuisine.
Chang added that this is the first wave of cross-sector cooperation. The city government has invited local catering businesses such as the Monarch Skyline Hotel, known for its high-quality Jiangzhe and exquisite Japanese cuisine; Shu-Yuan Dining Culture, which excels in refined dishes using local ingredients; and Chuan Men Tzu, famous for its modern Chinese cuisine, to participate in menu design, with more to be added in the future.
Liu仲成, Director of the Taoyuan City Department of Education, stated that since the implementation of free nutritious lunches over three years ago, the subsidy standard has been adjusted twice, each time by NT$3. Starting from the new semester in September this year, it will be increased by another NT$6, aiming to elevate the lunch quality from 'A' to 'A+'. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150513