by Mike Bain-The Daily Examiner.
The recent liquidation of Libelle Group, a major supplier for New Zealand’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme, has intensified scrutiny of the initiative.
Libelle Group, responsible for delivering approximately 125,000 meals daily, faced financial difficulties after scaling up operations to meet the programme’s demands.
The liquidation has raised concerns about the continuity of meal deliveries, with Compass Group and the School Lunch Collective stepping in to ensure service continuity.
The programme has been plagued by issues, including complaints about food quality, late deliveries, and meals falling short of nutritional guidelines.
One school reported by TVNZ News on Tuesday showed a staged scene where students were dumping meals, with uneaten food being consigned to pigs.
In a twist of irony, the same report showed a member of staff making marmite sandwiches.
These challenges have sparked frustration among educators, particularly those whose schools do not qualify for the scheme.
Wikus Swanepoel, principal of Maidstone Intermediate in the Hutt Valley, expressed his wish for his students to receive the free lunches other schools are complaining about. His school does not qualify for the programme, despite 80-90 of its 530 pupils lacking access to sufficient nutritious food at home.
Swanepoel highlighted the inequity of the allocation system, noting that some students who previously received free lunches in primary school no longer qualify under the current criteria.
The political response has been mixed. Associate Education Minister David Seymour emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining meal delivery and improving quality, despite the liquidation.
However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon faced criticism for suggesting dissatisfied parents should prepare their children’s lunches themselves, a comment that has been perceived as dismissive.
Swanepoel called for a more equitable approach, urging the Education Ministry to consult schools directly to identify students in need. He also revealed that some schools have resorted to redistributing excess lunches to those outside the programme, highlighting the systemic flaws in addressing food insecurity among students.
The situation underscores the need for a reassessment of the programme’s implementation and allocation criteria to ensure that resources reach the students who need them most.
Feedback from other schools about the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme has been mixed, highlighting both its benefits and challenges:
Positive Impacts
Schools have noted that the programme has improved attendance and engagement, particularly in communities facing food insecurity. For example, data suggests that students in underserved communities attended school an average of three more days per year due to the programme.
Concerns About Quality and Waste
Some schools have raised concerns about the quality of meals and significant food wastage. Reports indicate that up to 50% of meals were wasted in some schools, with repetitive menus (e.g., butter chicken served 11 times in two weeks) and issues like non-halal-certified meals being delivered.
Equity Issues
Principals have expressed frustration over the allocation system, which limits the programme to schools with the highest socio-economic need. This has left some schools, with students in need, excluded from the scheme.
Calls for Improvement
Advocacy groups and school leaders are urging the government to prioritize tamariki (children) by ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals and addressing systemic flaws. They emphasize the need for a review of meal quality, portion sizes, and safety standards.
Despite its challenges, the programme is seen as a vital initiative to address food insecurity among students. Schools and stakeholders are calling for adjustments to make it more inclusive and effective.
