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Children learn better with full tummies#
We know from research that children's development and learning improve when they aren't hungry. We also know that some children in New Zealand don’t always get enough to eat.
Eating together as a school#
The goal is for all students to share the same kai | food together. Every student in the school is offered a meal, not just those who did not bring one. Sometimes students can be embarrassed if only some are given food. If everyone is treated the same, there is no stigma for those children.
Talk to your school if you would like to discuss your child's needs.
Wider benefits#
Some schools and kura use the healthy school lunches programme as a chance to learn about nutrition or sustainability. In some schools, students are involved in activities such as growing vegetables, making food or designing menus as part of their learning.
Who makes the lunches for the Healthy School Lunches programme#
The programme has a range of delivery models to meet the unique needs of schools and kura.
Healthy, safe and nutritious meals#
Lunch providers must follow the same safety standards as any other commercial food provider.
They must provide safe options for all children including those with allergens, intolerances, ethical or religious diet requirements. For example, children who:
- are vegetarian
- are vegan
- have an allergy or intolerance to a food type
- eat according to religious beliefs, such as halal food.
The meals are required to meet nutrition standards that have been developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health, schools, and nutrition stakeholders.
Every meal is to meet the minimum weight and vegetable or salad requirements. Like a lot of parents cooking at home, sometimes those vegetables are hidden in the sauces to make the lunches more appealing to students.
If your child has an allergy or special diet, please notify your school.
Nutrition standards for Healthy School Lunches
What happens to extra food#
To make sure there are always enough lunches for all students, sometimes there are lunches left over.
If students are still hungry at lunchtime, we encourage schools to provide students an additional meal if available. It is important that this food is stored properly and only reheated when it is safe to do so.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has information about food safety at home.
