Charity Staff Cuts as School Lunch Programme Changes Take Effect

A charity responsible for providing school lunches to three primary schools in Ashburton will lay off up to eight staff members due to significant changes in the local school lunch programme. The Kai for Kids Charitable Trust lost out to major brands such as Pita Pit and Subway in the transition to the new Ka Ora, Ka Ako initiative, which focuses on healthier meal options in schools.

The announcement of the ten successful contract winners was made on October 27, 2023, by Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The new programme, aimed at students in Years 0-6, is set to roll out in Term 1 of 2024. The shift away from local charities has raised concerns about the impact on community employment and the quality of meals provided to students.

The trust had been a participant in the previous school lunch model and expressed disappointment over the outcome. Jo Taylor, the manager of Kai for Kids, described the situation as “heartbreaking.” She noted that the charity had endeavoured to provide meals that were well-received by the community, stating, “I have never had one single complaint.”

The new programme will see lunch prices increase beyond the previously promised cap of $3, with costs ranging from $3 to $5 per meal. This adjustment is attributed to the unique circumstances of different regions, including factors such as remoteness and the size of the schools involved. This year, over 1,000 schools and more than 242,000 students participated in the initiative, with 188 primary schools expected to join next year.

Taylor explained that in order to meet the $3 pricing requirement, the trust was forced to reduce portion sizes and cut some items from their meals, such as yoghurt and fruit. “It’s pretty gutting… if we’re feeding children who need food support, they need a decent meal,” she expressed.

The trust intends to continue providing free lunches to 14 schools and two kindergartens in Ashburton, but this will rely heavily on community volunteers due to the loss of staff. Taylor voiced her frustration about the decision to hand school lunches over to larger chains, saying, “The kids don’t want to eat Pita Pit and Subway every day.”

In response to the situation, Minister Seymour acknowledged the challenges faced by existing suppliers but emphasized the necessity for cost-effective solutions. “Some suppliers in the existing programme will be affected, and I appreciate this will be tough,” he stated. He defended the new model by pointing out that it would result in an estimated $145 million in cost savings by 2026.

Seymour argued that while supporting local charities is commendable, it should not come at the expense of taxpayer money. “Would making the program $145 million more expensive to support charities be a good use of taxpayer money? The honest answer is no,” he remarked.

Critics of the new arrangement, including Willow-Jean Prime, Labour’s education spokesperson, highlighted the value of local knowledge and adaptability. “Local providers know their community best… they have the know-how to deal with the unique asks of the region,” she noted, providing the example of Café Mahia, which continues to deliver lunches to isolated schools during adverse weather conditions.

The new suppliers selected for the programme include a mix of established companies and local providers, such as Appresso Pro Foods, Montana Group, Ka Pai Kai, KDJ Catering, Café Mahia, Star Fresh, University of Canterbury Student Association (UCSA), Knuckles (The Food Company), and the aforementioned Pita Pit and Subway.

As the transition unfolds, the impact on local employment and the quality of meals served to students remains to be seen. The shift underscores ongoing debates about the balance between cost efficiency and supporting community-led initiatives within the educational sector.