The audit office’s report on the feeding of National Guard members highlights significant weaknesses and areas for improvement. Soldiers are choosing to eat takeout and food from street vendors, even though the government spent 9.5 million euros on this purpose in 2025 alone. In fact, as many as 74% prefer not to eat at their unit before leaving the barracks.
“Money is being spent on food that isn’t being eaten. Therefore, there is a waste of public resources.”
Audit Office
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Pre-prepared, frozen, and unit kitchens are the three methods of food service. Camp kitchens received higher ratings than ready-made meals. Overall satisfaction stood at 59.6%, 50.5% for delivered ready-made meals, and 52.5% for frozen meals. Only 8% of National Guard members stated that their dietary needs are largely met, while 73% specifically avoid certain foods due to quality or taste, and one in four reported health problems they attribute to the food provided at the military base.
“An analysis of the 1,106 questionnaires reveals the following: 73% of respondents stated that they avoid certain foods. Specifically, legumes and fish.”
Audit Office
A significant finding is that if certain canned goods and other items that consistently end up in the trash were not included in the rations, approximately €10,000 would be saved weekly, or €520,000 annually.
Recycling
The audit office also points the finger at recycling, which is not being done at the camps.
For example, from January 20, 2025, to March 6, 2026, approximately 720,000 individual portions were distributed in single-use packaging. Forty-eight percent of the catering units reported that they do not have recycling bins, and 52 percent stated that they are not served by a licensed collective waste management system.
During a surprise inspection by the audit service, food was found to be stored at temperatures below safety limits.
Watch the report by Nasia Ioannou:
