HEALTHY MEAL PROJECT

Inclusion starts with food

The Healthy Meal initiative is one of the main projects within the ESF 2026-2029 operating grant Food4Inclusion: Empowering Communities Through Food Justice, Education, and Sustainability.

Food insecurity is increasing across Europe. As the cost of living rises, many families are forced to change their eating habits, often choosing cheaper and less nutritious options. Many also reduce social activities such as eating out, which can further isolate households already under financial pressure.

Healthy Meal was created to respond to these challenges. The project helps to reduce food insecurity, prevent food loss and waste and promote social inclusion by partnering up with restaurants to provide disadvantaged people with sustainable, healthy and affordable meals.

It is currently active in Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belgium.

The project has also developed a Digital Platform that distributes food vouchers and connects beneficiaries with restaurants participating in the Healthy Meal Solidarity Restaurants Network.

Food voucher distribution is being piloted in Greece, the Czech Republic, and Belgium with the aim to scale it to other member states, ensuring equitable access to nutritious food and reducing food waste across the EU.