France Expands One-Euro University Meals to All Students Amid Food Insecurity Concerns

Starting May 2026, French university restaurants now offer meals at a uniform price of one euro to all enrolled students, regardless of income, as part of a government initiative to combat student food insecurity and financial difficulties. Previously restricted to low-income students or those receiving financial aid, this expanded policy follows demands from student unions to broaden access to affordable meals.\n\nAccording to Crous, the organization managing university dining services, approximately 667,000 students benefited from the one-euro meal program in 2024, a 5.3% increase over the prior year, with around 46.7 million meals served at reduced and regular prices. This move responds to a January survey by a student union which found nearly half (48%) of French students skipping meals due to financial hardship, and 23% skipping several times monthly.\n\nHigher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste pledged a financial backing of 120 million euros by 2027 to support the program’s expansion. Baptiste described the policy as "a small internal revolution," emphasizing efforts to ensure the measure does not overwhelm cafeteria staff or degrade meal quality. This initiative aims not just to alleviate immediate financial pressures but to promote student well-being through better access to nutritious food.