The future of free school lunches is in doubt with the programme up for review as part of next month's Budget.
The coalition has said funding for Ka Ora, Ka Ako - which feeds about 230,000 students a day - could be trimmed by half, and has questioned its effectiveness and value for taxpayers.
However, as reporter Peter de Graaf discovered, a Northland school community says free lunches have improved attendance, achievement, behaviour and relationships.
