France has expanded its "1-euro student meal" program, previously limited to low-income university students, to all university students. The measure aims to ease food cost burdens on local students by offering a three-course meal including an appetizer, main dish, and dessert for approximately 1,700 won.
According to AFP on Tuesday (local time), French university cafeterias began offering three-course meals to all students regardless of income level for 1 euro, or about 1,700 won, starting that day.
The so-called "1-euro meal" consists of an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Previously, it was available only to low-income students or those receiving government financial aid, but student groups had been calling for the program to be extended to all university students.
Food expenses have been a significant concern for French university students. According to a survey conducted by student groups in January this year, 48 percent of French university students said they had skipped meals for financial reasons. Another 23 percent said they skipped meals several times a month.
As of 2024, approximately 667,000 university students received the 1-euro lunch subsidy.
The French government announced it would invest 120 million euros, or about 206.8 billion won, next year to prepare for increased demand following the program's expansion.
