Ka Ora, Ka Ako|Healthy School Lunches Supplier Panel Post 2023

Details

The Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches programme aims to reduce food insecurity by providing access to a nutritious lunch in school every day. Around a million lunches are provided each week. 

The method of lunch delivery is chosen by the school based on their understanding of what will best meet the needs of ākonga, whānau and community . Schools and kura may choose for iwi or hapū to become their provider of kai, make their own lunches, outsource to an external supplier, including a long shelf life lunch provider or use a combination of these methods. 

Following the recent budget announcement, you may be aware that Budget 2023 provides funding of over $323 million to Ka Ora, Ka Ako for another year, until the end of 2024.

This is an open tender (RFP) for additional suppliers to join the Ka Ora, Ka Ako supplier panel. The Ministry currently holds contracts with a number of suppliers who are able to provide lunches to schools and kura. The Ministry is seeking additional suppliers to ensure the programme is able to provide supplier choice to participating schools and kura, and appropriately support local suppliers who can meet the needs of their school community. 

We are looking to engage suppliers who have the ability to provide healthy nutritious lunches which meet the Ministry’s Nutrition Standards and are appealing to ākonga attending Ka Ora, Ka Ako schools and kura in all regions of New Zealand. 

We wish to highlight and make our Te Tiriti partners aware that we have established a Tiriti based social procurement pathway for te Iwi Māori/Hapū authorities or organisations mandated by Iwi or Hapū authorities to become Ka Ora, Ka Ako providers that differs from this RFP process.   If you are interested in learning more before this RFP closes then please contact school.lunches@education.govt.nz and we will be in touch to kōrero.

Suppliers who are already contracted to Ka Ora, Ka Ako are not required to respond to this RFP to continue their involvement in the programme or to express their interest in expanding into additional regions, should they wish to do so.

You are invited to join us at a virtual Supplier briefing session on Thursday 29 June from 11:30am – 12:15pm to hear more about Ka Ora, Ka Ako and what we are looking for in our suppliers. Please email school.lunches@education.govt.nz to receive a link to join this session.