Campaign for Food in Schools launched
"The group is eager for political action to implement a food in schools strategy, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty in December 2012. We support the Education (Breakfast and Lunch in Schools) Amendment Bill as an opportunity for public debate about how best to implement food in schools and we call on all Members of Parliament to support the Bill at its first reading," said Deborah Morris-Travers, manager of Every Child Counts.
"We are launching the Community campaign for Food in Schools Children to promote debate about how best to implement food in schools in New Zealand, building on the existing provision of fruit, milk and other food in schools.
"Children themselves have identified the need for food in schools to alleviate the impact of poverty and they say they feel confused and lethargic when they go to school hungry.
"Ultimately the issue of food in schools is about ensuring all our children are getting good enough nutrition to learn and develop to their full potential. But it can also build strong community, enable wider learning by children and parents, and link into curriculum learning areas.
"Food in schools is a policy that involves central government, business, and communities all working together in support of children. There is potential for these programmes to build community, promote healthy eating and deliver a range of benefits to everyone involved.
"In support of food in schools, we also want to see research and baseline studies about the current health and educational participation of children who will receive food in schools, to enable comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of a food in schools framework in the New Zealand context.
"The group working in support of food in schools is an informal coalition of child advocacy organisations, education unions, and faith-based groups.- Following our launch on Wednesday, we will be working with Members of Parliament, officials, and members of the public to advance debate about how best to deliver food in schools," concludes Ms Morris-Travers.
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