Despite an announcement of significant reductions in funding for free meals by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation starting from the 2026 school year, affecting over 55,000 students in the region, Herstal has chosen to maintain this social measure. For many children, this midday meal remains the only hot and balanced meal of the day.
Ten Herstal school locations will benefit from this initiative: the specialized schools of Milmort, Bellenay, and Centre, as well as the Lambert Jeusette, Louis Donnay, Bellenay, François Noppens, Liers, Centre, and Faurieux schools. Over 1,000 students are involved, at no additional cost to the City.
Outside of the free canteen day, hot meals remain accessible to families at a cost of €4.50 per day. These meals systematically include a 100% organic soup, a main dish, a dessert, and a vegetarian option, as part of an educational approach to healthy eating.
The preparation and delivery of meals are entrusted to the company TCO, specializing in collective and sustainable catering. TCO's supply is certified organic by the independent body Certisys (BE-BIO-01), with over 60% organic products, 70% of local origin, and 74% seasonal. The company works with Walloon cooperatives for beef, poultry, and pork, as well as local biscuit producers near Namur.
“"Since 2018, Herstal was one of the very first cities to believe in free school meals. As Minister of Equal Opportunities, I was responsible for making this policy of free, healthy, and sustainable meals permanent for the entire Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Today, as the Federation reduces its support for schools with differentiated support, I cannot conceive of Herstal abandoning this social progress. With TCO, a partner that prioritizes organic and Walloon producers in short circuits, we guarantee over a thousand students a hot, healthy, and free meal each week. It is a choice of solidarity and equal opportunities for all children in Herstal."
