The Cancer Society has joined dozens of other health and community organisations by signing a new Health Coalition Aotearoa - HCA - petition to double the number of schools eligible for Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy school lunches programme.

Currently only 25 per cent of schools can opt-in to the programme, with many children in need missing out, says the Cancer Society.

"Everybody deserves the right to a healthy, affordable diet – especially growing children who need healthy kai to nourish their bodies and brains."

The Cancer Society says a healthy diet and weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer in adults .

"But it's hard to eat well in New Zealand, especially for people living in low-income areas.

"Solving food insecurity requires strong government leadership and coordination through the development of a much- needed national food and nutrition strategy.

"In the meantime, expanding Ka Ora, Ka Ako is something the Government can do right now to help ease the cost-of-living pressure on whānau."

'Making at least 50 per cent of all schools eligible for Ka Ora, Ka Ako is an easy win to ensure more children get at least one healthy meal every school day," says Cancer Society of New Zealand spokesperson Lucy Elwood.

"Cancer Society encourages others to join us and sign the HCA petition today.”

The Cancer Society is a major funder of life-saving and world-class cancer research.

In the past 10 years, the Cancer Society has invested more than 52 million dollars in research around the country that has improved the prevention, detection, and treatment of different types of cancer, and aimed to help New Zealanders live longer following a diagnosis.

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