France serves up €1 meals to all university students in effort to cut hardship
French universities are now offering €1 meals to all students, regardless of income, to combat financial hardship among the student population. This expansion of a previously income-restricted program follows a survey showing nearly half of students had skipped meals due to financial constraints. The government plans to invest €120 million in 2027 to support the initiative and maintain food quality and staffing levels.
- ▪The €1 meal program was previously only available to students with low incomes or those receiving financial aid.
- ▪A January survey found that 48% of French students had gone without food for financial reasons, and 23% did so several times a month.
- ▪Approximately 667,000 students benefited from the discounted meal scheme in 2024, with 46.7 million meals served at subsidized or standard rates.
- ▪Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste pledged €120 million in funding for the program in 2027.
- ▪The initiative aims to reduce student financial strain without increasing workloads for canteen staff or compromising food quality.
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The €1 rate was previously only available to those receiving financial aid or with low incomes. Photograph: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenThe €1 rate was previously only available to those receiving financial aid or with low incomes. Photograph: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty ImagesFranceFrance serves up €1 meals to all university students in effort to cut hardshipMinisters take action after survey shows almost half of students had gone without food for financial reasonsAgence France-Presse in Amiens Tue 5 May 2026 08.16 EDTLast modified on Tue 5 May 2026 09.23 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleFrench universities have begun offering €1 (86p) meals to all students regardless of income in a measure designed to address financial hardship.Student unions…
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