2877 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

2877 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What penalties, if any, are there for the School Lunch Collective (Compass Group NZ, Gilmours, and Libelle Group) if they deliver school lunches that do not meet the current Ka Ora, Ka Ako nutrition standards?

Hon David Seymour: My officials expect all providers to meet stringent performance targets and contractual requirements. I am advised by the Ministry of Education that the service agreement with Compass Group NZ (as the lead for the School Lunch Collective) includes provisions for monitoring the supplier's performance against agreed service levels, which will be regularly assessed throughout the contract's duration, this includes nutrition and delivery. Additionally, the agreement outlines the conditions under which the supplier's failure to perform may lead to termination. If the supplier is in material breach of the agreement, and such breach cannot be remedied within a specified timeframe or is deemed incapable of remedy, or if the supplier ceases operations, becomes bankrupt, or insolvent, the Ministry reserves the right to terminate the agreement in accordance with the terms outlined in the contract. In relation to lunches not being delivered on time, the School Lunch Collective will reimburse schools for any additional food items purchased if lunches arrive late. Reimbursement will be paid at the end of the term. This is also my response to written parliamentary questions 2881 and 2882 (2025).