Ukrzaliznytsia launches the world's first Food Train

The Food Train embarked on its maiden journey on Thanksgiving, an American family tradition. The train departed from Kyiv, passing through Kharkiv to Izyum. This social project was realized in collaboration with the Howard Buffett Foundation.

The Kitchen Train can produce approximately 10,000 meals per day autonomously. On its launch day, among other things, the train will prepare traditional Thanksgiving dishes – roasted turkey and pumpkin pie.

"On this symbolic day, I thank our American partners for their unwavering support to Ukraine in various spheres, including military aid, reconstruction, and projects like Food Train. Thanks to this significant contribution, we are getting closer to victory every day. Together with the Howard Buffett Foundation, today we send out this unique train. The food prepared on it will be delivered as a token of appreciation to those who assist our defenders daily in the front-line regions: emergency services, police, medics, railway workers, and volunteers. Ukrzaliznytsia moves Ukraine forward despite everything, and now it can provide even more help to those in need," noted Vice Prime Minister for Ukraine's recovery and Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure, Olexander Kubrakov."

The train consists of 6 cars: a generator car (~400 kW + own refueling station for autonomous operation); a refrigerator car with a freezer for storing products; a car with a cold kitchen for preliminary food processing; a car with a hot kitchen for preparing final dishes; a staff car with a shower and washing machine; a baggage car with a 27,000-liter water tank, filtration, and pumping stations.

"It's fantastic to see innovations that help Ukrainians. Ukrzaliznytsia workers are incredible patriots leading their country through war, assisting in every imaginable way. I plan to visit the Food Train in December and offer food to all Ukrainians along the front line. Victory will come, and Ukrzaliznytsia will make a significant contribution," noted Howard Buffett.

The Food Train can operate autonomously for 5-7 days, and the train's equipment allows the preparation of full meals: soups, porridges, salads, meat, and more. Special thermoboxes inside the train facilitate the easy transport of ready-to-eat portioned containers from the kitchen train to the end consumer.

"It is symbolic that the Food Train set off on its first journey on Thanksgiving Day. Today, we want to express gratitude to our military and those who daily rescue the civilian population in the frontline Kharkiv region. This includes medics, police officers, and emergency services personnel—the train will deliver festive meals to them. I also want to greet the American people on Thanksgiving, which today carries additional meaning. We are thankful to you and the entire democratic world for your support," noted Eugene Lysytsia, Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia.

The construction and operation of the train are fully funded by The Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Howard Buffett himself is a regular passenger on Ukrzaliznytsia and has traveled through Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson during the war, supporting various railway projects, including "Iron Change."