New Taipei mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui is promising free school lunches and government money to upgrade catering kitchens — good news for parents, local farmers, and meal contractors.

• Su, a DPP lawmaker running for New Taipei mayor, visited a group-meal kitchen in Xizhi and met with catering operators.
• She pledged free lunches at public elementary and middle schools, paired with farm-to-school education.
• The city would expand Taiwan's "3 Labels 1 QR code" food-traceability program to cover all students and teachers, widening the market for local farmers.
• Caterers would get direct city subsidies to improve cold storage, refrigeration, wastewater handling, and smart temperature monitoring from cooking through delivery.
• The national bento industry association head backed her, saying she takes calls from operators late at night.

Outlook: School meals are shaping up as a campaign issue in New Taipei, with the promises hinging on Su winning the mayoral race.