How does the government-funded school lunch programme contribute to the daily nutrient intake of New Zealand adolescents?

Abstract

Food insecurity, in children, is associated with poorer health and academic outcomes. Around 27% of New Zealand households have reported food insecurity(1). The Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme(2) initiative in New Zealand schools aims to reduce food insecurity(3). This cross-sectional study assesses the nutritional contribution of the government-funded school lunches to daily nutrient intake among adolescents. The study compares nutrient intake during school hours between consumers (students from schools with funded lunch programme who ate during school hours) and non-consumers (students from schools with funded lunch programme who did not consume a funded lunch) and students from schools ineligible for the funded lunch. Dietary data was collected in 2024 via an online 24-hour recall (Intake24) from 390 intermediate and secondary school students in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Demographic data was collected via survey. Nutrient intake from food consumed during the school day (between 9am–3pm) was considered ‘school lunch’ and expressed as a percentage of total daily intake. Students were grouped as consumers (n=95); non-consumers (n=109); and ineligible (n=186). Comparisons between groups were conducted using Kruskal-Wallis tests. The funded school lunch provided an average of 26% of daily energy and contributed proportionally higher amounts of several key nutrients when compared to energy provision, including fibre (31% of daily fibre intake), zinc (30%), and beta-carotene (37%). Consumers had significantly higher nutrient intakes than non-consumers. Nutrient contributions were comparable between consumers and ineligible students, except for total sugars, which were lower in consumers. In 2024, New Zealand’s government-funded school lunches were nutrient-dense and provided better nutritional value than lunches sourced elsewhere from students in eligible schools and similar or better nutritional value than lunches of ineligible students. Findings support continued investment and potential expansion of the programme to improve adolescent nutrition and reduce health inequities.