Nutritious lunches in schools could be done for much cheaper, biggest provider says

Associate education minister David Seymour has promised to slash costs by $107m a year under a new lunch in schools programme. (Image: NZME)

Cécile Meier

Fri, 10 May 2024

The owner of the largest provider of free school lunches says he could continue to deliver nutritious cooked meals for much cheaper if done at scale. Libelle owner and executive director Johannes Reinhard Tietze is urging the government to include him as part of its review of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme. Principals are voicing “huge concerns” over the new model, which would not fund the staffing required to order, store, prepare and serve the food. On Wednesday, associate education minister David Seymour announc...

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