Access to good kai is important for tamariki learning and development. Below is a case study showcasing the success one early learning service has had through regular access to the government funded, free, nutritious kai delivered by Kids Can.

Te Aroha o te Ngakau is located on the grounds of Murupara Area school.  Most tamariki enrolled whakapapa Māori or have Pacific heritage. They currently cater for 21 tamariki.

Staff, tamariki and whānau have fully embraced the healthy free lunches the centre is currently receiving.   They shared how they are implementing the programme and the successes they have achieved in the last few months.  Prior to being on this programme, tamariki brought all the kai they consumed at the centre from home. The kai usually comprised of costly lunch packs (juice, chips, cookies etc.) from the local Dairy or Four Square.

They started receiving kai from Kids Can in March 2025. The kai they receive includes fruits (bananas and oranges) and vegetables. They buy their own spreads and receive additional koha from whanau e.g. weetbix and biscuits and other donations from a local Hauora. This allows them to offer breakfast e.g. toast and weetbix to tamariki on arrival. To build independence, confidence and skills, they allow tamariki to select their own kai as self-help is the centre’s default approach. Tamariki requiring assistance to choose and dish their own kai receive help as needed. The centre also provides morning tea and lunch.

Implementing change is a journey; it can take a little while for whānau to change lunchbox habits. The centre manager enthusiastically assures whānau that the nutritious, centre provided kai is sufficient without additional food from home. Centre staff are really excited about the level of food consumption by tamariki. Some tamariki initially did not eat vegetables. The centre attributes their success in getting tamariki to eat most of their kai to:

·         the centre’s relaxed, buffet style meal service approach which allows tamariki the autonomy to choose what they want to eat

·         positive peer pressure which helps reluctant tamariki to end up trying a few bites at a time until they start to eat a good amount.

·         how centre staff talk positively about kai.

·         allowing those who are reluctant to eat the kai opportunities to explore it through sensory experiences such as touching, smelling and feeling it without the pressure to eat it.

·         involving tamariki in washing, cutting up or peeling fruits and vegetables

·         growing a māra kai and utilising the produce for centre provided meals

Below are images showing tamariki, including the youngest ones self-serving and enjoying their kai, especially vegetables.

Favourite kai was cited as yoghurt, macaroni cheese and butter chicken and rice. The centre and whānau are so happy to be receiving Kids Can kai. Whānau are already seeing positive effects from the change in kai including improved digestion and much happier, settled tummies.

The centre is looking forward to continuing this programme and sharing the lessons they’re learning along the way. Tamariki are getting exposure to nourishing kai from an early age and will likely continue with this in future.