What is the project about?

DOT, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, has launched an information campaign titled "Eating at Home. Eating in the Military". Its goal is to demonstrate that the food supply reform in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is already showing positive results: as part of a pilot project in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, the military now have access to the same food they are used to eating at home. This is only the first step, but it’s an important signal that change is happening.

The new approach to the food supply system: what is changing?
The initiative is based on a change in the approach to food supply for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the updated model, for the first time, food for the military is purchased directly from Ukrainian producers through open auctions, and delivery is carried out by a professional logistics operator.

Key features of the updated

Price formation principles and transparency:

DOT fully controls the contracting process with manufacturers through open auctions, which allows for transparent selection of the best procurement option under equal conditions.
Enhanced quality control:

All products pass through a distribution center before being sent to military units. This additional quality control stage involves specialists from DOT.  
Separation of logistics and procurement functions:

The logistics operator ensures the completeness, timeliness, and quality of food transportation to military units, including coordination of unloading processes, payment, and documentation support.

93% of manufacturers are ready to continue cooperation

The State Operator For Non-Lethal Acquisition has completed the first stage of implementing the updated food supply model for the military in Kyiv and Kyiv region. During the first half of 2025, the new system provided food for military personnel in the region, testing approaches that strengthened quality control and ensured transparent pricing.

Over 50 national manufacturers of well-known brands participated in the project. In particular, it included dairy products, cereals, sweets, fruits, vegetables, meat, and other products that we see daily on supermarket shelves and consume in our regular diet.

The model introduced mandatory incoming control at the warehouses of the logistics operator, with the involvement of DOT representatives. This allowed for the quick identification of problematic batches and ensured that deliveries met the established standards.

According to feedback from the military and manufacturers, the updated supply model has proven its effectiveness. DOT and the Ministry of Defence are already working on improving the model.

In particular, further improvement of interaction with the logistics operator and manufacturers is planned, as well as the adaptation of the regulatory framework. We encourage businesses to join the supply efforts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and remind everyone of the market consultation mechanism, where you can learn all the requirements and ask questions. Contact email: official@dot.gov.ua

Key results of the pilot:

Tripartite contracts were signed between DOT, the logistics operator "UT Company," and manufacturers.
164 manufacturers were qualified within the framework of the signal bidding.
An average of 500 tons of products were delivered weekly to the distribution centers.
The total volume of deliveries during the project period was 5.56 million kg of products.
Initially, the return rate due to quality discrepancies exceeded 11%, but it gradually decreased due to enhanced control.
According to the survey results, 93% of the involved manufacturers confirmed their willingness to continue cooperation in the updated format.

Where did the initiative come from?

The topic of food in the military has always raised many questions - both among the military itself and in society. The campaign aims to show that the system can be changed. Opinions such as "soldiers eat worse" have become small stones in the wall that separates "soldiers" from "civilians".This creates a sense of disconnect between the front line and the rear.

As part of the campaign, DOT released a film aimed at strengthening unity between civilians and the military. In the film, a mother at home tells her son at the front a family borscht recipe. They cook borscht together using the same favorite ingredients, even though they are not in the same place. The campaign aims to show that a different food supply system for the military is possible.

As part of a pilot project in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, defenders now have access to products from Ukrainian manufacturers - the same ones we are used to seeing on supermarket shelves. All elements of communication are united by a common idea: decent nutrition should be the norm for everyone who defends the country.