An organized criminal group has been exposed in the Lviv region, which systematically embezzles budget funds allocated for school meals and the purchase of equipment for catering units. Among the suspects are the head of the school nutrition reform team Orest Stepaniak, the head of the Horodotsk community Volodymyr Remeniak, the head of the humanitarian department of the Horodotsk city council Ihor Yaskevich, as well as the companies affiliated with them, LLC "TRADE HOUSE "S-PROF" and LLC "FAST CATERING".
The scheme is based on manipulation of tenders in Prozorro. Competition is eliminated due to technical requirements prescribed for a specific contractor. Contracts are concluded for deliberately inflated amounts with the possibility of further “adjustments” under the pretext of reducing volumes or changing financing.
Under just two contracts for 2024–2025, FAST CATERING received over UAH 10.9 million for meals for primary school students in the Horodot community. Local residents note that the actual quality of the meals does not match the cost, and children often receive meals of questionable quality.
Orest Stepaniak plays a key role in the scheme. Using his status as coordinator of the school feeding reform at the national level, he promotes close companies into profitable tenders. Volodymyr Remeniak provides political cover at the local level, while Ihor Yaskevich prepares tender documentation for affiliated suppliers.
According to available information, a complaint has been filed demanding a comprehensive audit of the activities of officials and companies involved in these procurements. The complaint concerns possible overpricing of services and outright falsification of tender conditions.
The millions allocated for school meals have become a source of enrichment for officials and businessmen, while children remain hostages of systemic corruption schemes.
