TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) said Wednesday that the city will fund free lunches for all elementary and junior high school students for the 2026 academic year.

UDN and Liberty Times reported Thursday that Hsieh said the city is following Taipei’s policy and will fully cover lunch costs for students across Keelung. He noted that student meals have been a top focus since he took office.

Hsieh said Keelung’s debt has fallen from about NT$6.7 billion (US$213 million) to around NT$4 billion in recent years. The mayor said the city wants to give the financial gains back to families and students.

The mayor also said schools will use more local farm and fishery products. He said this will support local agriculture and fisheries while improving meal quality.

CNA reported Wednesday that Hsieh said free school meals can save parents about NT$14,000 to NT$16,000 per student each year. Hsieh said the policy aims to ease pressure on families as the cost of living prices stay high.

On Tuesday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city will fund free lunches for all elementary and junior high school students. The city's education department Commissioner Tang Chih-min (湯志民) said the policy is estimated to cost more than NT$2 billion and benefit about 180,000 students.