Government hits back as school lunch programme continues to face criticism - will the scheme survive?

A brainchild of the previous Labour Government, the Healthy School Lunches Programme provides free lunches to about 242,000 students in greatest need.

Since its initial launch in 2019, the programme has often been a target by politicians and commentators over the cost involved in the scheme.

It’s now under the supervision of associate education minister David Seymour, and a cheaper alternative to it launched this year.

It alone has faced a myriad of issues, notably incidents of unappetising, late or absent food deliveries, and a more serious case of one child suffering second-degree burns from a hot lunch.

As a result, hundreds of meals have been left uneaten – and now, one company contracted to deliver the food has gone into liquidation. 

So why are free school lunches such a source of controversy – and can the Government get past the negative headlines around them? 

Today on The Front Page, we’re joined by Victoria University of Wellington politics professor Dr Lara Greaves to discuss why there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

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Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

 

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