Buffet-style meals, which were promised to be introduced in Chisinau’s schools on September 1, have not yet become a reality. The city's education chief Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb has told Info-Prim Neo that the lack of money is the main reason for the delay, as well as the lack of tech and washing machines necessary for such buffets. The new deadline is December 31, reports Info-Prim Neo. “We have already found the necessary funding. The Budget allocated 500,000 lei for providing cafeterias with new equipment, since it makes no sense to implement the buffet idea using old equipment”, mentioned Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb. There are several education institutions that request the implementation of buffet meals, but only those with larger cafeterias and adequate personnel will be selected. Asked whether the initiative would cut costs of school meals, Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb said that the children’s independence in choosing their preferred meals from several options prevails over the cost matters. The new method was piloted in 6 institutions. “We had no complaints. The children enjoy it very much. If this kind of independence is available in other countries, why wouldn’t we do the same? Especially when European countries have these buffets even in kindergartens”, said Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb. The school buffet idea belongs to Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, who proposed it after a visit to Sweden. The project was supposed to expand to all pre-university education institutions in the Municipality starting this fall.