With kids about to return to school, Times-Age reporter KATE JUDSON hit the streets of Masterton to find out if people believe the government’s free school lunch initiative is value for money.
Simon Richardson
As long as it’s good and healthy. Everyone learns better when you have a full tummy.
Mitchell Grant
It’s a great idea, it takes the pressure off the families to come up with the money. Times are hard. I know that they’ve got rent and bills to pay, and sometimes it’s pretty hard to send their kids to school with lunches.
Des Beech
They certainly shouldn’t stop it. There’s plenty of money they can take from the taxpayer that they put in other less worthwhile areas that they can give to kids so they can actually eat.
Ploy Sriposuk
Yeah, so our parents don’t have to keep on packing lunches too much because they get tired looking after us.
Kathy Anderson
It should always continue. People are struggling with everything at the moment. If they can have a helping hand with their kids, that has to be something positive.
David Taylor
It should be kept going. As a school teacher, it’s so important to have kids in class every day that are well fed.
Lynn Taylor
Hungry kids don’t do well, that’s all there is to it. It should continue. If they were going to do a review, just look at the logistics, not removing the programme. We’ve seen too many hungry kids, and hungry kids don’t do well. Every kid deserves a chance.
Sue Pearse
A child that’s hungry isn’t going to learn, that’s a known fact. It’s quite sad to think there are children not being provided for, perhaps their parents can’t afford food. There are more out there than we realise. It should continue.
