Additional investment in food in schools welcomed

The government announcement today of an additional $9.5m over 5 years for food in Decile 1-4 schools, to be delivered in partnership with Fonterra and Sanitarium, is an important part of addressing the impact of poverty on children, says the Community Campaign for Food in Schools*.

“The reality of poverty in Aotearoa means that many children are malnourished and arrive at school not having had breakfast and without a lunchbox. The government has taken the pragmatic step of providing food to the children who need it, and that is a welcome move,” says Deborah Morris-Travers, manager of Every Child Counts.

“Children have called for more food in schools and they’ll be pleased to know they are being listened to.

“Every New Zealander has a part to play in addressing child poverty and meeting the needs of our nation’s children and it’s great to see the government and corporates stepping up to the mark, delivering this support in partnership.

"We are pleased that the programme will be available to higher decile schools whose students have food needs too. We hope to see the food in schools programme monitored and evaluated for its impact to determine the positive impact on school attendance, educational performance and child health.

“In addition to the food in schools, the new money ($1.5m) provided to KidsCan for shoes, raincoats and lice treatments means children will also have their need for warmth and comfort met.

“Addressing the underlying causes of poverty is much more complex than providing food – and that is the next step that must be taken. So, we encourage the government to take further action on income, education, housing and the other poverty-related issues that are contributing to poor child wellbeing,” concludes Ms Morris-Travers.

Community Campaign for Food in Schools Members
(As at 27 May 2013)
Anglican Church
Auckland Action Against Poverty
Barnardos
Caritas Aotearoa NZ
Child Poverty Action Group
Choose Kids: Students Giving Kiwi Kids a Chance
CTU Runanga
Every Child Counts
IHC
Manaia PHO
Methodist Church
NZ Educational Institute
NZ Nurses’ Organisation
NZ Principals’ Federation
Plunket
Poverty Action Waikato
PPTA
Quality Public Education Coalition (QPEC)
Salvation Army
Save the Children
Te Ora (Maori Medical Practitioners)
Te Tai Tokerau PHO
Te Ropu Wahine Maori (Maori Women’s Welfare League)
Te Waka Huia Maori Cultural Group
Tertiary Education Union
The Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
UNICEF NZ
Women’s Refuge

ENDS

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