Small parties criticize Taipei for making school meals free｜Taiwan News

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Taipei recently proposed making school lunches free of charge for all in the city, prompting many other counties and cities to follow suit. But several small political parties say that the program is just a vote-buying scheme by Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Critics say that it’s prompted other local leaders to follow Taipei blindly, without taking the reality of the situation and finances into account. They say that if local governments fully cover the cost of meals, the budget allocation will be locked in, which in the future could lead to lower quality as prices rise. Let’s hear more.

Claire Wang
New Power Party Chair
This is vote-buying of the cheapest kind. Taipei has the most resources in Taiwan, and should have played a leading role by creating transparent pricing formulas and trial programs to show the public what is high-quality and trustworthy food and agriculture education. Instead, Mayor Chiang Wan-an decided to be lazy and throw money at it. It’s a vote-buying scheme.

Kan Chung-wei
New Taipei Councilor Candiate (GP)
There is less fruit and yoghurt and more processed foods. There are even foreign objects in the meals. We want this superficial competition for welfare to end, and instead put the focus on improving the quality of school lunches.

Wu Hsin-tai
Taipei Councilor candidate (TSP)
Free things are the most expensive. It’s not that parents don’t need subsidies. It’s that free meals for all without any supporting measures will lead to declining quality, increased waste and resource hoarding. These policies are very appealing in an election year, but children’s health shouldn’t be a campaign tool.

A candidate for Taipei’s City Council says that there is precedent for their concerns. In, 2021 a school lunch food safety controversy erupted in Yilan. Quality declined, food waste surged, and even food poisoning incidents were reported after free lunch policies were implemented. She called for a more comprehensive oversight system and urged the swift passage of legislation to ensure children’s health and safety.

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