A new survey for Health Coalition Aotearoa has found widespread support for extending free healthy lunches.
Co-chair Lisa Te Morenga says only 25 percent of schools are eligible for the Ka Ora Ka Ako school lunch programme.
The Talbot Mills survey found 63 percent support for widening the criteria so it covered 50 percent of schools.
Maori were 71 percent in support of extending the programme.
Dr Te Morenga says ensuring all children get one square healthy meal at day at school, no matter what’s going on at home, gives them a greater chance to succeed.
She says 83 percent of people rated affordable healthy food in their top cost of living concerns, outstripping renting at 58 percent and petrol prices at 43 percent.
The coalition has launched a petition to double the Ka Ora Ka Ako.
