Adjustments made to pilot Breakfast for All program in Cyprus public kindergartens

The Cypriot Ministry of Education is modifying its 'Breakfast for All' pilot program following feedback from parents and educators regarding meal quality and portion sizes. The initiative, launched on June 2 and funded by a €1.5 million sponsorship from OPAP with additional in-kind support from the Stelios Foundation, currently serves approximately 2,600 children in Larnaca and 1,000 in Famagusta. Program director Marios Stylianides stated that the menu was originally designed by nutritionists based on World Health Organization guidelines for ages 3-7. Recent complaints involved the serving of pre-cut fruit in plastic containers, which often arrived discolored, and concerns over the size of breakfast portions. In response, authorities have moved to distribute whole fruits and adjusted meal quantities. Tasos Savva, leader of the preschool parents’ association, confirmed these changes while suggesting further improvements, such as limiting the frequency of muffins on the menu. The program is set to continue until the end of the next school year, with plans to expand the number of beneficiaries to 2,900 by September.