as parents struggle with costs
Jean Batten Primary School assistant principal Siolo John said families had become more reliant on the provided meals as soaring food prices made it hard to put food on the table and in the lunchbox.
Checkpoint visited Countdown Māngere, where some said they were relying on extended family to get by, while others said their weekly grocery bill had doubled.
"Before, $150 can feed ... three kids, now it’s like almost $300 to be honest," one shopper said.
Another pointed to the inflated cost of fresh fruit and vegetables.
"I used to buy a cucumber for $1.50, and then $3 for two. But nowadays, $3, $3.50 for just a 10cm cucumber," he said.
A third shopper told Checkpoint she was relying on her mother’s savings to provide meals for her children.
Link to video, recording and article: School-provided lunches needed more than ever as parents struggle with costs | RNZ
