At Gymnasium No. 12 of the Sheptytskyi City Council, where more than 900 children are enrolled, from 1 September they introduced free hot meals for all pupils in Years 1–11. The same decision applies in other schools in the Sheptytskyi community.
Because of the large number of pupils, the school has changed how the canteen operates. Now the first-year classes go for lunch immediately after the first lesson, and the last groups of pupils – after the sixth. Previously, mealtimes could be fitted into four breaks, but now the process has been spread over six, and the length of breaks has been increased from 15 to 20 minutes. As a result, the school day now finishes at 16:00.
The headteacher of the gymnasium, Ulyana Sviontek, notes that, overall, both parents and children have welcomed these changes. According to her, the school monitors how much food is left after lunch, and there is almost no waste, which indicates that pupils like the menu. Recently the school was inspected by public health specialists and, following their visit, no comments were made regarding how the meals are organised.
The menu at the gymnasium is varied and meets the updated requirements for school meals. Pupils are served country-style potatoes, cutlets, meatballs, various salads, fruit compotes, and are also offered fresh fruit every day – bananas, oranges, pears, apples, plums and so on. According to head cook Liubov Romaniuk, one of the children's firm favourites remains pasta with cheese.
During one extended break the canteen serves between 150 and 200 pupils. The kitchen staff say that modern equipment makes their work much easier. In particular, the kitchen uses a combi steamer, which allows dishes to be prepared quickly and to a high standard. Part of the equipment was provided by the company that organises catering at the gymnasium on an outsourcing basis, while the rest belongs to the school itself.