KidsCan data shows rise in food demand as the number of children living in hardship increases

KidsCan delivered 148.7 tonnes of food to partner schools in Term 1 2026 – an 11 percent increase on the same period last year – showing that schools already in the programme are needing more support than ever before.

KidsCan Founder and CEO Julie Chapman says the increase reflects the daily reality schools are seeing.

“Schools are relying on our support more than ever before, and that reflects what today’s findings on material hardship are telling us – that too many children are growing up in households where they are unable to afford what many New Zealanders would consider essentials,” says Chapman.

“We know that when families are struggling, one of the first places it shows up is at school, where children arrive without the food and essentials they need to participate fully in their learning.”

KidsCan supports tens of thousands of children in more than 1,400 schools and early childhood centres nationwide, providing food, jackets and shoes to remove barriers to learning caused by poverty.

Chapman says the charity’s frontline data provides a real-time picture of the challenges many families are facing.

“What’s significant about the increase in demand we are seeing at KidsCan is that it’s not just more schools coming on board – it’s the amount of support each school is requiring. That tells us more families are struggling to provide the essentials their children need for school, and raises serious concerns about the ongoing impact of cost-of-living pressures on children,” she says.

“A gift of just $30 a month can help KidsCan provide food and essential items that allow children to attend school, concentrate in class and be ready to learn.”

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