In 2019, the Government announced a two-year initiative to explore delivering a free and healthy daily school lunch to Year 1–8 (primary and intermediate aged) students in schools with high levels of disadvantage.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ka Ora, Ka Ako was expanded to reach around 215,000 students by the end of 2021, including secondary students. Expanding the programme also supported job creation and economic recovery from the pandemic. From the outset of the initiative, some 942 jobs have already been generated and was estimated that around 2,000 jobs were created by the end of 2021.
External suppliers are selected through a tender process via the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) platform. Schools and kura choose from a panel of approved suppliers that have met minimum standards of food hygiene, waste management and food preparation.
There are a range of supplier models depending on what works best for each school, for example a single supplier, a mix of suppliers, or one larger supplier provides lunches to a group of schools and kura.
There are multiple opportunities for suppliers, distributors, packaging companies and catering businesses to become a part of the ‘Ka Ora, Ka Ako’ programme. Considering COVID’s impact on the hospitality and foodservice industries, it also presents an opportunity for businesses to pivot their offering and bring in extra revenue.
Restaurant & Café Educatering
Restaurant & Café magazine is launching a new publication to coincide with each school term, so education providers can get the best information about which suppliers are available to them.
The publication is lifting off with a Buyer’s Guide, a one stop shop for all educatering needs. This will be followed by three further publications throughout the year and supplemented with monthly newsletters going to our established database of schools and kura.
Don’t miss out on being a part of this vital resource. Contact caroline@reviewmags.com today.
