Ministry of Education

Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Alternative Provision

On 8 May 2024 the Government announced a change for Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme as part of Budget 2024.

This introduces an alternative provision model for Year 7+ learners. Schools will order food from a central source to store, prepare and distribute to learners. The current lunch provision for Years 1-6 learners will continue. These changes will take effect from the beginning of 2025, with funding provided until the end of 2026.

We are continuing to plan for the Alternative Provision Model and any approach to market is likely to be later than previously indicated. We will continue to provide updates when they are available.

We will be seeking responses from suppliers who have the ability to provide a whole of provision solution that meets our budget requirements. This includes the following:
• Food items that are nutritious, varied and appealing to ākonga, meet standard dietary requirements and meet the logistical needs of schools | kura
• Delivery to all participating schools | kura throughout New Zealand for no more than the agreed budget per ākonga and at a delivery frequency to meet the needs of each school | kura
• An ordering portal for schools | kura to order food items that is easy to use, provides appropriate reporting for the Ministry and schools | kura and provides appropriate controls to manage spend
• Customer service support for schools | kura

The successful supplier must hold the required Food Control Plan and verification covering the products proposed.

Participating schools | kura must be able to receive food items prior to the start of the 2025 school year.