Free lunches served up to thousands of school children
The Government’s free and healthy school lunches programme moves south for the first time creating jobs for around 30 people in Otago and Southland.
“Eighteen schools with 3000 students are joining the programme – 11 have already begun serving lunches, and seven are preparing to start during Term 3. This is on top of the 42 schools already taking part,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.
“No one wants to see children go hungry, and a full stomach makes all the difference to a child’s learning.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has added urgency to support like this.
“The programme provides lunches to all students in schools taking part, and is being rolled out in stages. It was hugely expanded in the Budget this year to see around 200,000 more children get a free lunch by the end of 2021.
“Initial feedback about free and healthy lunches has been incredibly positive, with schools reporting improvements in students’ focus in the classroom, learning, behaviour and attendance. The programme is also a way of creating local jobs.
“Several schools already taking part in the programme have employed whānau to help make and distribute lunches on school sites. In some areas, locals have been employed by regionally based suppliers providing lunches.
“It’s a win-win for the students and the community,” Chris Hipkins said.
Notes:
For more information about
the Free Lunches in Schools programme see www.education.govt.nz/our-work/overall-strategies-and-policies/wellbeing-in-education/free-and-healthy-school-lunches/
Otago/Southland schools in the programme are:
Aurora College
Underway
Te Wharekura o Arowhenua
Underway
TKKM o Otepoti
Term 3
Brockville School
Term 3
Fernworth Primary School
Underway
New River Primary
Term 3
Halfway Bush School
Underway
Carisbrook School
Underway
Bathgate Park School
Underway
Ascot Community School
Term 3
Pine Hill School (Dunedin)
Underway
Tuturau Primary School
Term 3
Oamaru North School
Underway
Newfield Park School
Underway
Waiau Area School
Underway
Concord School
Underway
Mataura School
Term 3
Musselburgh School
Term
3