Education Minister Erica Stanford has had her meeting with Associate Education Minister David Seymour, with issues facing the school lunch programme on the agenda.
Speaking to reporters before question time, Stanford said this morning’s meeting was “really productive”.
“We went through some of the complex and challenging issues and I offered David [Seymour] my full support, anything he needed from my office, we would be providing it.”
Seymour said the meeting was on “all sorts of things” and was “a fantastic meeting as we always have”.
“We discussed a whole range of issues around the school lunch programme and how it’s getting better and what our plan to do that is.”
The meeting comes the day after the liquidation of one of the scheme’s three main providers yesterday.
Deloitte New Zealand, who was appointed liquidator on Tuesday, said Libelle Group was contracted by Compass Group to deliver approximately 125,000 meals daily as part of the Government’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme.
“The Liquidators are undertaking a full and urgent review of all of Libelle’s operations, with our immediate focus being working with Libelle’s employees and affected stakeholders to ascertain the way forward, including ensuring students around New Zealand continue to receive their school lunches,” said David Webb of Deloitte New Zealand.
Libelle Group is a member of the School Lunch Collective alongside Compass Group NZ and Gilmours. It also runs things such as school tuck shops.
Seymour said today the Government had been aware “for some time” Libelle had been facing issues “and we’ve been working through to a resolution which I think we’ve nearly got to”.
He had been keeping the Prime Minister and Cabinet up to date with the issues.
During question time, Stanford said Seymour had informed her of some “high-level supply challenges” at Libelle on February 11.
“While I’m kept up to date on the broad direction of this area, questions need to be directed to Minister Seymour.”
Yesterday the School Lunch Collective’s Paul Harvey acknowledged it was a “difficult situation” for Libelle and that the priority remained ensuring that 120,000 students continued to receive meals through the program.
He said Deloitte had asked Compass to help manage the transition and ensure stability while options for Libelle’s future were explored.
“To minimise disruption, Compass Group NZ has taken immediate steps to support Libelle, including ensuring staff wages are paid and keeping kitchen facilities running.
“We recognise the vital role that Libelle’s staff and partners play in delivering school lunches, and we are committed to ensuring the future of Libelle as part of the programme and supporting its people through this process.”
