TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) announced Wednesday that, beginning with the start of the school year on Aug. 31, all public and private elementary and junior high school students in the city will receive free lunches.

Hou told the New Taipei City Council that the free lunch program will benefit approximately 323,000 students and cost NT$4.84 billion (US$151 million) annually, per CNA. He added that this year’s budget will be covered in advance, with funding formally incorporated into the city’s annual budget starting next year.

Hou added that during policy planning, the city government carefully considered family needs, educational equity, and fiscal sustainability. After reviewing the overall budget and ensuring resources through zero-based budgeting principles, the government decided to formally implement the free lunch program.

The New Taipei Education Department said the free lunch program is based on an estimated cost of NT$75 per meal. The program is expected to reduce parents’ annual expenses by approximately NT$12,000.