Hsinchu County to Increase School Lunch Subsidy by NT$10 Per Meal Starting from the 115th Academic Year
The Hsinchu County Government announced on the 19th that to cope with rising prices, it will increase the funding for free school lunches in elementary and junior high schools by NT$10 per student per meal, starting from the 115th academic year (this September). County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that this measure will involve an initial investment of NT$49.5 million, with an additional budget of nearly NT$120 million per year starting from 2027. After the adjustment, lunch fees will be raised to NT$70-73 for general schools and NT$74-77 for remote area schools. The frequency of using local organic rice and vegetables will also be increased to support local agriculture and student health.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 16:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 17:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 22:26 (5h 24m after Collected)
(CNA, Hsinchu County, May 19, by reporter Kuo Hsuan-wen) The Hsinchu County Government announced today that starting from the 115th academic year, it will increase the funding for free school lunches in elementary and junior high schools, raising the lunch fee by NT$10 per student per meal. The government hopes this funding injection will ensure students eat healthy and nutritionally balanced meals.
Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke announced at a senior staff meeting today that in response to rising prices and the need for educational investment, an additional NT$49.5 million will be invested starting from the 115th academic year (this September). From the 116th year of the Republic of China (2027), the budget will be increased by nearly NT$120 million to comprehensively raise the funding for free school lunches, increasing the fee by NT$10 per student per meal.
Yang Wen-ke said that the lunch fee per student for junior high and elementary schools will be raised from NT$63 and NT$60 to NT$73 and NT$70, respectively. For schools in remote areas, the fee per student for junior high and elementary schools will be raised from NT$67 and NT$64 to NT$77 and NT$74, respectively.
He stated that the use of local organic rice in elementary and junior high school lunches will be increased from twice to three times a week, and local organic vegetables from three times to four times a week. This aims to increase the proportion of local ingredients, organic vegetables, and organic rice, while also supporting local farmers and agricultural development.
Education Bureau Director Tsai Shu-chen told a CNA reporter that the upgrade of Hsinchu County's free lunch policy is not just a financial increase but also involves the planning of all 33 nutritionists in the county. This includes menu design and the promotion of food and agricultural education, hoping to start from the essence of education and allow students to eat safely and healthily.
Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke announced at a senior staff meeting today that in response to rising prices and the need for educational investment, an additional NT$49.5 million will be invested starting from the 115th academic year (this September). From the 116th year of the Republic of China (2027), the budget will be increased by nearly NT$120 million to comprehensively raise the funding for free school lunches, increasing the fee by NT$10 per student per meal.
Yang Wen-ke said that the lunch fee per student for junior high and elementary schools will be raised from NT$63 and NT$60 to NT$73 and NT$70, respectively. For schools in remote areas, the fee per student for junior high and elementary schools will be raised from NT$67 and NT$64 to NT$77 and NT$74, respectively.
He stated that the use of local organic rice in elementary and junior high school lunches will be increased from twice to three times a week, and local organic vegetables from three times to four times a week. This aims to increase the proportion of local ingredients, organic vegetables, and organic rice, while also supporting local farmers and agricultural development.
Education Bureau Director Tsai Shu-chen told a CNA reporter that the upgrade of Hsinchu County's free lunch policy is not just a financial increase but also involves the planning of all 33 nutritionists in the county. This includes menu design and the promotion of food and agricultural education, hoping to start from the essence of education and allow students to eat safely and healthily.