Image Resource: Caleb Oquendo
Save the Children in collaboration with Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme in New Zealand is set to transform the lives of more children with its recent overhaul. Together they will provide free, healthy lunches to 242,000 primary and secondary students and an additional 10,000 preschoolers, aiming to combat food insecurity and foster improved educational outcomes for all involved.
Jacqui Southey, Advocacy Director for Save the Children and a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the updated programme, remarks that extending the initiative to include early childhood education centres (ECEs) is a positive enhancement that will improve children’s outcomes. She also highlights the significance of including children’s feedback.
“It’s reassuring to see that the new programme still offers hot meals, such as the popular Butter Chicken. It’s a great sign that, despite a tighter budget, the new suppliers under the School Lunch Collective are focused on providing nutritious and enjoyable meals for children.”
A Save the Children survey conducted earlier this year, involving over 3,000 Kiwi children, showed strong support for healthy, delicious school lunches. Kids stated that the programme is crucial for them and their friends, with some indicating that their lunches at school are especially important when food at home is scarce.
Ms Southey states, “Children are the ones most affected by changes to the programme, so it was essential to ensure their voices were incorporated into the redesign. Ongoing dialogue with children is critical to ensure the programme serves them effectively.”
Positive Impacts on Education and Health
Healthy meals in schools are foundational to children’s health and educational achievement. Research links nutritious school lunches with improved concentration, increased attendance, and enhanced classroom behaviour.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation emphasises that healthy meals play a crucial role in preventing hunger and supplying essential nutrients for learning.
Meanwhile, the University of Illinois discusses the numerous benefits linked to free school meals, such as improved health outcomes, enhanced academic performance, and increased food security among children. Together, these insights highlight the vital importance of providing nutritious meals in schools.
The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme represents an essential investment in the future, empowering children to engage fully in their education and nurturing a healthier society that can reduce future healthcare costs and improve workforce productivity.
Business Opportunities within the Programme’s Expansion
The revamped Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme offers more than just benefits for schools and families; it also paves the way for local businesses to flourish by responding to the increasing need for healthy school meals.
Local companies within the hospitality or sustainability sectors can establish lasting partnerships that can increase their profits and reinforce their commitment to community well-being. Kiwi businesses can start engaging with this initiative, which will allow them to cultivate brand loyalty while contributing to a healthier future for the next generation.
Conclusion
The renovated Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme presents a powerful opportunity for Kiwi business leaders to make a meaningful impact while enhancing their organisations. This initiative addresses a critical societal need and positions businesses strategically within their communities.
It offers a chance to elevate your brand reputation, nurture talent development, and align your values with today’s focus on sustainability and social welfare. You can drive economic success while championing social causes, creating lasting value for both your business and the community by supporting such initiatives. There is no time like today to lead the way in fostering a healthier future for our children.