Batumi’s Social Services Agency failed to fully use the funds allocated for free municipal canteens, leaving GEL 610,000 unspent. City Hall claims that, according to nutrition standards calculated by specialists, GEL 3.60 per day is allocated to feed one beneficiary. However, documents reviewed by Batumelebi show that spending per person is less than GEL 2 per day. In reality, only GEL 1.57 is spent.

The head of City Hall’s Finance and Budget Service, acting official Giorgi Surmanidze, explained the savings by price reductions recorded through electronic procurement and by fluctuations in beneficiary attendance.

The purpose of electronic procurement, he said, is precisely to ensure that public institutions receive services at reduced prices through competition, not at inflated rates. However, even at first glance, this case appears exceptional. Achieving such savings amid rising food prices is unprecedented. The remaining balance exceeds half a million lari.

At a Batumi City Council session where the 2025 budget execution report was presented, Surmanidze explained that savings were also linked to attendance rates. “For example, the program is designed for 7,000 beneficiaries, but in some cases only 6,000 actually attended,” he told council members.

The city’s chief financial officer also assured council members that nothing had been cut from the pre approved meal plan. “Nutritional standards are calculated using a special formula and fully comply with legislation,” he said.

At the same session, the chief financial officer stated that the municipal canteen spends GEL 3.60 per beneficiary per day. However, this does not correspond to the actual figures.

“Feeding someone on GEL 3.60 and still having savings – isn’t that a bit ridiculous? Do you really think this is accurate?” asked council member Vaja Darchia during the session.

Discussion of the half million lari savings did not last long, and the council moved on to other topics.

Batumelebi attempted to clarify how the Social Services Agency managed, as it claims, to feed one beneficiary for less than GEL 3.60 per day while still saving more than half a million lari. The findings show that the situation is more dramatic. In reality, the city does not even allocate GEL 3.60 per beneficiary. Actual funding is significantly lower.

Batumi operates six municipal canteens serving 7,650 beneficiaries. The canteens operate daily. Based on the claimed GEL 3.60 per day, feeding one beneficiary for a year would cost GEL 1,314. Feeding 7,650 beneficiaries would therefore require GEL 10,052,100 annually. However, under the originally approved 2025 budget, total funding for municipal canteens was only GEL 7,382,100, including salaries for 105 employees and other expenses. From this amount, GEL 610,000 remained unspent.

What is happening? Batumelebi asked City Hall to clarify the figures presented at the council session. No clarification was provided. The press office stated that if questions concern figures, a formal information request must be submitted.

City Hall sent only a general response that effectively did not address the questions:

“The savings were achieved due to reduced prices offered by tender participants and do not affect the quality or quantity of purchased products. The menu of municipal canteens is developed by specialists and maintains a balanced nutritional value, ensuring the daily provision of diverse and high quality food.”

Figures from the originally approved 2025 budget clearly show that GEL 3.60 per beneficiary was never planned. In reality, the intention was to spend less than GEL 2 per day.

According to the current budget, of the GEL 7.3 million allocated to municipal canteens, GEL 1,895,400 is spent on staff salaries. GEL 5,393,000 is allocated for food for beneficiaries, covering product procurement, delivery and related needs.

If the GEL 5 million allocated solely for food is divided among 7,650 beneficiaries, the result is GEL 1.79 per beneficiary per day for the year, not GEL 3.60. This figure also does not account for periodic holiday food packages distributed to beneficiaries, including pre New Year packages.

Vaja Darchia, a council member from the Lelo party, said City Hall explained that the approved meal plan had not changed, but savings affected both technical costs and food procurement. He was also told that bread was purchased at a much lower price than expected.

“They said the meal plan was unchanged. There were savings in infrastructure and in food procurement, and everything was implemented in detail. I don’t know how accurate this is. They confirmed bread was purchased cheaper than planned. They also insisted that GEL 3.60 per person per day is allocated. It is unimaginable that this amount is sufficient unless it is calculated the way Geostat calculates the subsistence minimum. Perhaps the calories are enough for survival. But based on market prices, it is hard to imagine how someone can eat for GEL 3. This raises questions. How did bread become so cheap?” Darchia said.

According to Darchia, City Hall offered another “logical explanation”: “They told us that many beneficiaries periodically refuse to take food. So from the start, the calculation assumes some people will refuse.”

Procurement Agency data show that Batumi’s Social Services Agency signed a contract with LLC Nita for the purchase and delivery of bread and bakery products. The contract entered into force in January 2025 and is valid until February 2026.

The tender for white and brown bread and bakery products was announced at GEL 1,311,875. Three companies participated in the electronic auction. LLC Nita reduced the price to GEL 879,000 and won the tender. The reduction amounts to GEL 432,875, raising additional questions.

Under the contract, GEL 865,707 is allocated for bread purchases for municipal canteen beneficiaries for the year. This means the city pays 62 tetri per loaf of bread. If the savings had been spent solely on additional bread purchases, beneficiaries could receive one whole loaf per day instead of half.

Batumelebi spoke with beneficiaries at municipal canteens several times over the past week.

They say the most acute problem is bread shortage. “One person gets half a loaf per day. It is not enough, but it is still good.”

Most beneficiaries expressed gratitude. They thank City Hall for hot meals, which for many is the only way to feed children or elderly family members at home. Each person shared their personal story. They were more open when the recorder was turned off.

According to beneficiaries, the daily ration includes soup and a main dish of 500 grams, buckwheat of the same amount, one sausage, apple compote and bread. On other days, soup, a cutlet and compote are provided in the same quantities. Each person receives half a loaf of bread.

Beans and fish are served on Thursdays. There are cabbage, vegetable or meat soups, and cutlets. The menu is scheduled by day, so beneficiaries know in advance what food will be available. Some bring insulated containers to keep food warm on the way home.

Food is distributed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. On regular days, queues are usually short. However, for New Year food packages, people stand in line for hours in cold and rain.

According to procurement data, this year City Hall purchased chicken, flour, sausage, eggs, oil and sweets for New Year packages.

Batumi City Hall denied reports that canteens might close during the holiday period until January 10. According to City Hall, municipal canteens will operate daily, including on Christmas and New Year holidays, from December 31 through January 10 inclusive.