Media release from Barnardos New Zealand

Barnardos New Zealand supports Food in Schools

Barnardos New Zealand is delighted to be part of the Community Campaign for Food in Schools, which is being launched today by the Every Child Counts coalition.

Barnardos chief executive Jeff Sanders says, “Arriving at school hungry is a significant barrier to children and young people achieving in school. Children do not choose their circumstances and they are the people least able to change those circumstances. If we believe as a country that every child has the right to thrive, belong and achieve, we need to accept that support for these children and young people, and for their families, is a priority. Therefore, we call on all MPs to support the Feed our Kids bill.”

Some 270,000 Kiwi kids live in poverty, and an estimated 80,000 children go to school hungry each day. Last year, the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty recommended the implementation of a nutrition strategy, including food in Decile 1-4 schools.

The Food in Schools campaign sees Barnardos working as part of an informal group of child advocacy organisations, charities, unions, faith-based groups and others to support political and community progress to implement a national food in schools strategy.

Jeff says, "We’re encouraging public discussion about the best way to implement food in schools, and also showing support for the Mana Party’s ‘Feed the Kids’ Bill, which goes to Select Committee early next month."

Members of the public are invited to join in with the month of action for children throughout May 2013. They can do so at: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCampaignForFoodInSchoolsNz?ref=hl

About Barnardos New Zealand

Barnardos New Zealand helps thousands of children, young people and families each year, with services such as parenting courses, family support, counselling and supervised contact. We also work directly with children who have experienced family violence, provide residential and foster care, and support 0800 What’s Up, New Zealand’s largest dedicated child helpline.

ENDS

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