Concerns around fuel price increases#

We’ve heard from suppliers across the programme who have raised concerns about rising costs linked to the situation in the Middle East.

Some of these concerns have also focused on potential government responses, and whether the Healthy School Lunches programme would be considered an essential service or supplier under these scenarios. These matters are currently being considered by the Ministry as part of wider contingency planning.

We are closely monitoring the situation and actively working through the potential impacts on the programme. We’ll provide further information as soon as possible.

Partnership agreement reminder#

All schools and kura engaged in the Healthy School Lunches programme signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry when they joined. The agreement outlines how we work together to best support positive outcomes for students.

In the agreements, schools and kura have committed to minimising surplus. This is done by accurately recording student dietary needs, the daily number of lunches required, and working toward daily student uptake of 100 %.

Distribution of surplus lunches reminder#

We are aware that some schools are redistributing surplus lunches to their communities. We know this comes from a place of wanting to help.

School lunches are only meant for students during the school day.

Healthy School Lunches must not be redistributed to the community or to other schools. Doing this is unsafe and does not support the programme objective of mitigating food insecurity in schools.

Aligning food orders to actual requirements is the safest and most sustainable way to supply lunches to students.

Why this matters#

• Food safety risks are high. Once food leaves the school environment, we do not know how it will be stored or handled. This can lead to food poisoning.
• Surplus increases programme costs. Reducing surplus and matching meal numbers to uptake will allow better use of taxpayer dollars towards improving the Healthy School Lunches programme.

Responsibilities and risks for schools#

• Schools that allow redistribution of the lunches into the community may be held responsible if someone becomes ill.
• Schools are required to actively manage surplus and return all uneaten meals to the meal providers as part of participating in the programme.
• Schools are required to minimise surplus through monitoring absenteeism and uptake rates.

Best practice#

• The safest option is for students to eat their lunch during the school day.
• Return any uneaten or surplus lunches to the supplier.
• Do not share surplus meals outside of the school.

How schools can reduce surplus#

• Adjust daily meal numbers to the uptake of meals.

Exceptions#

• Schools may allow surplus lunches to be consumed after the specified lunch period (for example, at after school sports practices) where the food safety requirements for doing so have been agreed between the supplier and the school and documented in the Deliverables Form. Once the lunch period has ended, the school is responsible for ensuring ongoing food safety.
• Suppliers’ preparation methods differ, and schools are expected to follow their guidance.

We appreciate your continued commitment to ensuring students have access to safe and nutritious lunches, and for your support in keeping this programme safe, sustainable, and focused on students in need.

Term 1, 2026 survey open now#

The Term 1, 2026 survey was emailed out to all schools on 16 March. Make sure you have submitted your answers by 2 April, the last day of Term 1.

External model update#

Distribution funding update#

Distribution funding applications were sent out to eligible schools on 13 March.

From Term 2, 2026 onwards, you need to apply for distribution funding. Once approved, the amount of termly funding will be the same for Term 3 and Term 4, 2026. You will not need to re-apply for funding for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year.

For more information on distribution funding and your Healthy School Lunches school model, see our website.

Funding for the Healthy School Lunches programme

Email us or contact your Healthy School Lunches senior advisor with any questions.

Email: [email protected]

Supplier spotlight: KDJ#

External model supplier KDJ has been providing nutritious meals to students in Healthy School Lunches since it joined in 2022. Contract Manager Tracey Schuler says KDJ became a supplier for the programme because it recognised the scale of need for consistent, wholesome lunches.

Today, KDJ provided 3,217 students at 19 schools in the New Plymouth region with tasty, nutritious kai. Tracey says that KDJ encourages family-style meals at all the schools they supply.

‘We did some research into the benefits and concluded that by not encouraging students to eat together and share food we were missing out on the program's full potential. Our schools have been phenomenal and really trusting, the ones who are doing family style are seeing fantastic results.’

Besides championing students eating together, KDJ also focus on sustainability measures in how their meals are delivered. Reusable bowls and utensils are delivered everyday along with the pans of food. Students serve themselves (oftentimes coming back for seconds) and, after eating, return all rinsed flatware and crockery to the insulated delivery crates for pickup by KDJ. Leftovers and soiled dishes are returned to central kitchen for washing and safe disposal, ready for the next school day.

Student menu favourites are nachos, chicken tomato pasta, chicken biryani, and Mediterranean pasta.

Internal model update#

Outstanding menus#

Submit your Term 2 menu by email and any outstanding Term 1 menus.

Email: [email protected]

Submission of a termly menu is a mandatory requirement under your funding agreement. From Term 2, we will also be undertaking meal assessments, and your senior advisor will be in contact with you about this. Meal assessments are one way the Ministry has of making sure we are doing what we are funded to do, providing students with a nutritious school lunch every day that supports children’s wellbeing and educational outcomes.

10-day surplus lunches count#

Last year, we requested that internal model schools and kura count the number of surplus lunches at the end of each day over a 10-day period. Information collected was entered in the termly end of term survey.

Continue to do this 10-day surplus lunches count during Term 1 and record the data in the end of Term 1, 2026 survey.

A surplus lunch is a complete and untouched meal that is left over at the end of the day.

Finish your end of Term 1, 2026 before the end of term which is 2 April.

Outstanding 2025 end of term financial reports#

There are still outstanding 2025 end of term financial reports.

Funding may be paused for schools that have not submitted their Term 2, 2025 reports. End of term reporting is not only an accountability requirement for funding expenditure, but it also provides important insights that help inform programme improvements and support for internal model schools and kura.

Contact your Healthy School Lunches senior advisor with questions or if you require assistance.

Online workshops#

Introductory business continuity planning (BCP) workshop

This workshop covers the basics to develop a BCP that will outline potential disruptions to providing lunches, and options to manage them to ensure lunch continuity.

Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026, 3:30-4:00 pm

Introductory waste management planning workshop

This workshop goes through the basics on waste management planning including developing a simple waste management plan and where to access resources.

Date: Tuesday 2 June 2026, 3:30-4:00 pm

Internal model online end of term financial reporting

This workshop is for schools and kura who are receiving their funding automatically. It outlines the online end of term financial reporting process. It also runs through an Excel Cashbook tool that provides a workbook to input your expenditure throughout the term and auto populates this expenditure onto an end of term reporting workbook, saving time.

Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026, 3.30 – 4.00 pm

To attend any of the listed Term2 workshops, email us (cc. your senior advisor) with your name and the name of your school or kura.

Email: [email protected]

A calendar appointment with a link to the Teams meeting will be sent to you.

Healthy School Lunches nutrition standards

This online workshop, presented by our programme nutritionists, is designed as a refresher for those already working in school kitchens, and as an overview of the Healthy School Lunches nutrition standards for new staff. The workshop will introduce the nutrition standards and basic principles of nutrition, along with the requirements around meal weights and how foods are classified in the standards. There will be plenty of tips along the way, and time for questions, so come along if you’re new to the programme or need a refresher.

Date: Wednesday 8 April 2026,12 – 1pm

Register for this workshop by following this link:

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Iwi/hapū update#

Nau mai, haere mai – new kura joins the Healthy School Lunches programme#

E te whānau, he mihi mahana tēnei ki te Kura o Kaeo me Te Kura o Totara North, e hono mai nei ki tō tātou Iwi Hapū kai provision model i roto i te rohe o Te Tai Tokerau.

New kura have joined Healthy School Lunches and are warmly welcomed into the programme’s collective kaupapa, grounded in tikanga, kawa, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga.

Ani’s Kai will be supporting kai provision for these kura. This partnership reflects the importance the programme puts on whakapapa, hapori connections, and awhi.

The programme approach continues to emphasise collaboration, trust, and open kōrero, ensuring that kai provision supports good physical nourishment, and the cultural and social wellbeing of our tamariki.

E mihi ana mātou ki ngā tumuaki, ngā kaimahi, ngā whānau, me ngā hoa mahi katoa mō tō koutou tautoko me tō koutou ngākau whakawhanaunga. Ka haere tahi tātou i tēnei kaupapa, mō te pae tawhiti, mō ā tātou tamariki.

New approach to manaaki kai for Term 2, 2026#

Hei whakamōhio atu ki a koutou, from Term 2, 2026, a refreshed approach to kai assurance will be introduced across the iwi/hapū model working alongside the partners who prepare and deliver kai.

This approach has been developed to uphold tikanga Māori, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga, while ensuring fair and accurate understanding around how kai is prepared, portioned, and served for tamariki. Manaaki kai will be kōrero‑based and carried out respectfully, recognising that kai is taonga and each kura and hapū may have its own kawa.

Healthy School Lunches senior advisors will work with kai providers, leading with kōrero to understand menus, sourcing of ingredients (including local suppliers), and preparation practices. With permission, visual observations (such as photos and meal weights) may be used to support assessment. Where appropriate, partners may choose to demonstrate their own processes to maintain cultural safety.

Information gathered will support alignment with nutrition guidelines while honouring local ways of working. All assessments will be conducted with care, transparency, and respect for people, place, and process.

For more information, contact your Healthy School Lunches senior advisor.

Workshops#

Costing workshop

A costing workshop is being planned for Hawkes Bay and Tai Tokerau internal and iwi/hapū model schools and kura for the school holidays.

The in-person workshops will be open to all iwi and hapū partners in these regions. Workshop content will focus on costing and budgeting for effective menu planning. If you are interested in attending, speak with your Healthy School Lunches senior advisor for details and more information.

Ikura reminder#

The Ikura programme removes barriers to attending school by providing access to free period products. If your school or kura would like to join the initiative, email us.

Email: [email protected]