About the School Lunch Collective model#
The School Lunch Collective is the supplier to 43% of schools.
In the Healthy School Lunches programme#
Every school day, students from a secondary, intermediate, full primary (Years 0 to 8) and composite (Years 0 to 15) external model schools receive a nutritious lunch from the School Lunch Collective.
The School Lunch Collective is led by Compass Group New Zealand in partnership with Gilmours/Trents (FoodStuffs) and several food manufacturers and suppliers based in communities throughout the country. The number and type of suppliers evolves with the menu over time.
Meal – Nutrition, waste and surplus#
Meal quality#
Menus, daily meal photographs and nutritional information is available on their website.
The School Lunch Collective have dedicated dietitians, nutritionists and chefs on staff to guide the menu and to meet the nutrition standards.
Nutrition standards for Ka Ora, Ka Ako menus
They involve students in sampling new meals as they develop menus each term.
Feedback is very important, and feedback can be provided in the ordering portal, to the area manager or to us.
Schools manage the number of meals based on attendance, including common specialist meals on the ordering portal. This helps to reduce surplus and waste.
Our food – School Lunch Collective
Nutrition and wellbeing – School Lunch Collective
Special dietary ordering#
To keep students safe, special dietary meals should be ordered on the portal only for those with allergens, intolerances, and religious or ethical needs.
There are students with food preferences, and we understand taste palette’s can be sensitive, with likes and dislikes for certain food.
Ordering special diet meals for students at risk of harm, avoids overloading the special diets system, keeping students who require these meals safe.
Waste#
Aluminium food trays used for meals are recycled where possible, and food waste is composted into organic fertiliser.
In 2025, aluminium trays collected from schools in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Auckland regions are recycled. Further school regions will be added as capacity at the recycling facility allows.
To help with the recycling of meal trays, we recommend students clean off food waste and remove wrapping before putting them in Go Boxes for pick-up.
Other waste is collected and disposed in landfill or recycled where possible.
You can read more about the School Lunch Collective’s commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability – School Lunch Collective
You can read more about waste and surplus for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme.
Waste and surplus for the programme
Daily supply of meals#
The School Lunch Collective reports daily on:
- the number of schools serviced
- the number of meals delivered
- percentage of on-time delivery
- percentage of surplus meals.
