Catering Giant Compass Group Excluded from School Lunch Scheme
Major catering company Compass Group will not be among the suppliers providing school lunches to primary schools under the new national Ka Ora, Ka Ako scheme launched by Associate Education Minister David Seymour.
The global catering giant was not selected as one of the 10 suppliers chosen to serve 188 primary schools. Among the winners are long-term providers such as Cafe Mahia, praised for its ability to deliver meals to isolated schools even during flooding and road closures.
“They have the know-how to deal with the unique asks of the region,” said Seymour.
The regional approach was considered the best way to meet the needs of contributing primary schools in New Zealand, especially since many small primary schools serve remote communities.
Selected Lunch Providers
- Cafe Mahia
- Appresso Pro Foods
- Montana Group
- Ka Pai Kai
- KDJ Catering
- Star Fresh
- University of Canterbury Student Association (UCSA)
- Knuckles (The Food Company)
- The Y Gisborne
- Pita Pit and Subway
Secondary School Lunch Programme
Seymour’s programme for secondary school lunches is a streamlined version of the previous Labour Government’s scheme. He notes that the average cost per lunch under his plan is $3.46, compared to up to $8.68 per student previously.
“This is expected to save $145 million in 2026,” Seymour added.
This revised initiative aims to reduce costs while maintaining service for schools, especially in remote areas.
Author’s summary: The new school lunch scheme favors regional suppliers over global giants, aiming to deliver meals efficiently to remote schools and reduce costs significantly in 2026.