We are absolutely delighted to be part of the Ka Ora Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches again for 2022.

The reason we are taking part in this programme is because research shows us that children who eat a healthy lunch have better educational outcomes than those who eat an unhealthy lunch. Having a delicious, healthy and free school lunch everyday will help our tamariki to be the best they can be here at Te Kāpehu Riccarton School ! You can find out more about the Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches programme here.

Our provider for the Ka Ora Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches is USCA- The University of Canterbury Students’ Association.

"The UCSA (University of Canterbury Student Association) is excited to be part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako – Healthy Lunches in School programme. UCSA is a not-for-profit registered charity that exists to support students during their years at UC through student focused services such as Advocacy & Welfare, subsidised Dental/Optometry, Early Learning Centres, club support, student events & media. All proceeds generated through our commercial operations are utilised to support these services.

Alongside these we operate a number of cafes, bars, catering and conferencing services to both internal and external customers. The UCSA currently serves more than 5000 students daily and employs more than 200 staff across the organisation. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako – Healthy Lunch in Schools programme closely aligns with the UCSA core values and provides opportunities for current and future generations of students to benefit from the scheme.

Our menu has been designed alongside a Nutritionist from the University of Canterbury’s School of Education, Health & Human Development to ensure we meet the nutritional needs of the students. A lot of care has been taken to ensure we can accommodate a wide range of dietary and cultural requirements. We believe we have created a menu that is not only healthy but caters to children’s varying tastes, however we understand that there will be challenges along the way so your feedback will be important to us.”

We do ask that you encourage your children to eat these lunches even if it means trying something new. Your feedback is important to us so please let us/school liaison know of anything that may arise using the email at the bottom of the lunch menu.

Some of the foods that the children will be given may be unfamiliar, but all we ask is that every child tries at least one bite before deciding if they do or don’t like it. Your child won’t go hungry if they don’t like the provided lunch as we still have the fruit in schools and Kidscan snacks available.

We will also ask that each child brings a healthy, litter free morning tea snack as well. This means no fried foods, pies and other pastries, cakes, biscuits, sweet muffins and snack foods like sweets/lollies, chocolate and chippies, and also no drink other than water.

You can find some great snack ideas on the Kidspot website: https://kidspot.co.nz/recipe/snack-ideas-kids/ and some more information about Healthy eating for children on the Ministry of Health website.

If your child has an allergy, dietary and/or cultural requirement that you have not informed the school of, it is vital that you please let us know ASAP. Please note that no nuts are used in the kitchen and all regular meals are halal.