10343 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

10343 (2025). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What, if anything, was the "agreed deviation" from nutritional standards for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme menu that the Ministry of Education had noted as an "acceptable alternative" if a supplier indicated they could not meet the current standards during negotiations?

Hon David Seymour: "I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that the nutritional standards have not changed. Every meal is expected to meet the nutritional standards which include a balance of protein, vegetables and grains or starchy vegetables. For more information, see: https://kaorakaako.education.govt.nz/nutrition-standards There was a one-off deviation of a “pastry pie” meal, delivered to schools on Friday 14 February 2025, to enable the School Lunch Collective to deliver lunches while working through a manufacturing supply shortfall. The Collective has since introduced their Flexi-Menu. When a meal alone does not quite meet the required nutritional standards, the Ministry has been assured that additional food items such as fruit or vegetables will be provided so that the lunch meets the required standards as a whole.