Ka Ora, Ka Ako | healthy school lunches programme

About Ka Ora, Ka Ako | the healthy school lunches programme

Woodville School is part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako | the healthy school lunches programme which aims to reduce food insecurity by providing access to a nutritious lunch in school every day. 

Regular nutritious food is vital for children’s physical, mental and educational development. It affects their ability to focus, concentrate and learn.

Research indicates that reducing food insecurity for children and young people:

• improves wellbeing
• supports child development and learning
• improves learners’ levels of concentration, behaviour and school achievement
• reduces financial hardship amongst families and whānau
• addresses barriers to children’s participation in education and promotes attendance at school
• boosts learners’ overall health.

Woodville School provides both morning tea and lunch every school day. 

Menu information

A typical weekly lunch menu includes a variety of lunches such as wraps, vegetable sticks, dips, salads, soups, and hot lunches. Menus may also change from term to term to reflect available fresh produce and the season, and any feedback from schools and students.

Food preparation

Woodville School have employed two local community members as our chefs, they are Ann and Helen. They have undergone recent training to be able to prepare food that must comply with Food Act 2014 and be aware of allergies and allergens. The school has worked with Ministry of Education and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to provide a food safety plan suitable for Woodville School.

Registration Certificate MPI006224 2021-01-28.pdf

Facilities

Being part of the Healthy Lunches Programme has allowed our school to be generously supported by the Ministry of Education to upgrade aspects of our Kitchen and dining facilities. The school has quality cooking, food storage and hygine equipment and facilities.

Zero waste

The Woodville School kitchen is developing a zero-waste policy, to reduce food wastage, and minimise the use of plastic single-use items.

Costs

For students attending Woodville School there will be no cost to their parents/caregivers. 

Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy

The Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme is part of the Government’s Child Youth and Wellbeing Strategy. Children and Young People have what they need is one of the key outcomes. Providing food to children at school is one-way government can directly address poverty and food insecurity, and positively impact children’s wellbeing.