Canary Islands' Education Department New School Cafeteria Guidelines 2025-2026

Overview

The Canary Islands' Education Department has approved new guidelines for managing school cafeterias in public non-university schools for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. This includes detailed instructions on operating days, eligibility criteria for free or subsidized meals, and staffing arrangements.

Key Provisions

• The number of subsidized meal days will total 175, aligning with the school calendar, which prevents extra costs for families.
• Income thresholds for assistance are set at €21,600 annually for families of 1-4 members, with incremental increases for larger households.
• Schools must submit certification of meal services, intake data, and sanitation compliance to ensure transparency and health standards are upheld.

Focus on Nutrition and Health

The plans emphasize promoting healthy eating habits and nutritional balance, in collaboration with health authorities, to combat health issues like obesity and diabetes among students.

Operational and Management Rules

• Rules for expanding meal service capacity, staff management, and including families or staff in the service are outlined.
• The department will publish official lists of approved students and staff, with all documentation requiring digital signatures.

Objectives

These measures aim to streamline school meal services, enhance nutrition, and ensure safety for students and staff during the school year.