Libelle Group has been placed into liquidation, casting a shadow over the future of one of the country’s largest providers of school lunches.
In what has been a contentious period for the Coalition Government’s healthy school lunch programme, Libelle Group has been placed into liquidation.
For the past 20 years, Libelle Group has been an integral food service provider, having offered a range of services including residential catering, tuckshop solutions and school catering services. It contracts have spanned the education sector.
Libelle Group was contracted by Compass Group New Zealand Limited (Compass) to deliver approximately 125,000 meals daily as part of the Government’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme. The Liquidators have immediately engaged with Compass who is working with the School Lunch Collective to support continuity of service.
“The Liquidators are undertaking a full and urgent review of all of Libelle’s operations, with our immediate focus being working with Libelle’s employees and affected stakeholders to ascertain the way forward, including ensuring students around New Zealand continue to receive their school lunches,” said Liquidator David Webb.
The Liquidators understood there will be many parties, including employees, suppliers and schools, who will have questions about the process and the Liquidators will work with Compass and relevant parties to ensure stakeholders are kept informed.
Paul Harvey from the School Lunch Collective said that while it was a difficult situation for Libelle and its team, the priority was still ensuring that 120,000 students continued to receive nutritious meals every school day through the Ka Ora, Ako Healthy School Lunch Programme.
“Deloitte, as liquidator, has asked Compass Group New Zealand to help manage the transition and ensure stability while exploring options for Libelle’s future. To minimise disruption, Compass Group New Zealand has taken immediate steps to support Libelle, including ensuring staff wages are paid and keeping kitchen facilities running,” said Harvey.
“We recognise the vital role that Libelle’s staff and partners play in delivering school lunches, and we are committed to ensuring the future of Libelle as part of the programme and supporting its people through this process.”
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