Brookfield School students will enjoy free, healthy lunches from Term 4 this year.

Principal Ngaere Durie took to Facebook earlier this week, announcing they will be part of the governments Free and Healthy School Lunches pilot programme.

"We are excited and VERY grateful to be selected for this pilot programme. We know with our recent events across Aotearoa that all our families and whānau need so much support. Every little bit helps," she says.

The programme will run until December 2021.

"Lunches will be catered for by one of our loyal, hardworking and dedicated staff members. We will be working with the Ministry of Education on the best way to meet our school's needs."

She says staff will be consulting with children about lunch choices and gathering ideas.

Whanau will also be able to have their say, she says.

For more information about the programme visit this page.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins says 18 schools with 3000 students are joining the programme – 11 have already begun serving lunches, and seven are preparing to start during Term 3.

"This is on top of the 42 schools already taking part.

'No one wants to see children go hungry, and a full stomach makes all the difference to a child's learning.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has added urgency to support like this.

'The programme provides lunches to all students in schools taking part, and is being rolled out in stages. It was hugely expanded in the Budget this year to see around 200,000 more children get a free lunch by the end of 2021.

'Initial feedback about free and healthy lunches has been incredibly positive, with schools reporting improvements in students' focus in the classroom, learning, behaviour and attendance. The programme is also a way of creating local jobs.

'Several schools already taking part in the programme have employed whānau to help make and distribute lunches on school sites. In some areas, locals have been employed by regionally based suppliers providing lunches.

'It's a win-win for the students and the community.”