The companies making money out of free school lunches

The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme is under review. (Image: NZME)

Tue, 19 Mar 2024

Big businesses dominate the provision of free lunches in schools, data released under the Official Information Act reveals. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme is under review, with Act minister David Seymour looking to axe its funding by 50%. He has called the initiative wasteful, while others say it is critical. The scheme offers lunches to 230,000 students in about 1,000 of the country's least advantaged schools. It was allocated $323 million in the 2023 Budget but has not been funded beyond this year. Eligible schools can...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.
Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

World

World economies brace for Trump tariffs ahead of deadline

The uncertainty was roiling markets.

AFP 10:00am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Tuesday, April 01

Can you beat the Quizmaster?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Infrastructure

Mainfreight praises 'logical, sensible' rail ferries decision

Port companies on both side of the Cook Strait also welcome increased certainty.

Oliver Lewis 5:00am

Mainfreight praises 'logical, sensible' rail ferries decision

Sponsored

Commercial property trends: AI, sustainability and growing confidence

Falling rates and green tech shape property investment’s future.

PMG

Sponsored

Continuing Arnold Downer’s legacy: infrastructure, inclusion and impact

‘The Downer difference’ in action: building communities, creating lasting change.

Sponsored by Downer

More Markets

Retail

My Food Bag CEO signals 'return to growth'

My Food Bag's chief executive, Mark Winter, says the company has "returned to growth" after strengthening its sales performance in the second half of the financial year.On Tuesday, the meal-kit delivery firm told the NZX that it expects to deliver full-year earnings in line w...

Gregor Thompson 9:20am