7 Feb 2023

Advocates call for expansion of free lunch programme

From Morning Report, 7:55 am on 7 February 2023

A group of health experts is urging the government to expand its free lunch scheme to more schools as families struggle with the cost of living crisis.

Health Coalition Aotearoa says more children than ever need the scheme and in Auckland the floods have added to the costs facing some families.

A school lunch of a student at Yendarra School in Ōtara.

Photo: LDR / Justin Latif

Ka Ora Ka Ako is restricted to the poorest 25 percent of students and the Health Coalition wants it at least double that.

Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.