Hi John,

Kids learn better with a full stomach. That's why Labour launched our free and healthy school lunches programme, which is already providing food to more than 200,000 school kids so they can focus on what's important – learning.

During my time as Education Minister, I regularly heard from parents, teachers and principals about what a difference this programme made to children’s wellbeing, attendance and learning.

We’re calling on the National Government to commit to continue funding free and healthy school lunches, to give families and schools certainty that the programme is here to stay.

We know that it’s tough for many families right now with the rising cost of living, which is why the Government needs to prioritise this programme which saves families $33 per week per child, or up to $1,250 per year per child on average.

ACT has previously committed to scrapping the programme and it may now be at risk as the Government tries to find savings for their tax cuts.

National have proven time and time again that they can’t be trusted to fund education. We need to make sure our kids aren’t the ones to pay the price if school lunches are scrapped.

I would like to encourage you to sign and share the petition to help us save free and healthy school lunches, or to share your stories about the positive difference this programme makes.

You can also reply to this email to get in touch if you’d like to share your views or stories on the school lunch programme.

Let’s keep our children and young people fed and happy at school!

Thanks,
Jan Tinetti - Labour’s Education Spokesperson