Our partners
Contact us
School & ECE login

Home

Home

Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

What We Do

Our Programmes
Our Impact
Child Poverty in NZ
Who we support

Take action

Donations
Fundraise
Partner with us

School & ECE Support

School Support
ECE Support

About Us

Our Story
FAQs
Contact us
Stories
Our partners

School & ECE Login

© 2025 KidsCan. All rights reserved.

KidsCan Charitable Trust is registered under the Charities Act 2005 CC10386

ECE Food for Kids Programme

The KidsCan ECE Food for Kids Programme is a free food programme offered to 2 to 5-year-olds attending eligible early childhood education (ECE) centres around Aotearoa, starting in early 2025, for two years. The programme is funded by the New Zealand Government and delivered by the KidsCan Charitable Trust.

KidsCan-Roscommon-ECE-Kid-Sitting-Watching

KidsCan-Roscommon-ECE-Kids-Smiling-Happy

About KidsCan

KidsCan was founded in 2005 by our CEO Julie Chapman to support school children with the essentials so they can focus on learning.

In 2018 the charity extended this support to preschoolers. We recognise this is a vital time in a child’s development, and we help ensure that Tamariki are fuelled for learning and playing, so they can realise their potential.

We now partner with 949 schools and 203 early childhood centres and Kōhanga Reo, providing food for tens of thousands of children every day.

We are driven by a genuine desire to support young people to be their best.

How does the ECE Food for Kids Programme work?

We deliver fresh, nutritious ingredients to your centre every week or fortnight, so you can put together easy-to-prepare lunches for your tamariki. Centres select from a range of recipes that children love - like mac and cheese, shepherd's pie, fresh sandwiches, and chop suey. The meals are designed in collaboration with the Heart Foundation, and include a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables. We cater for vegetarian, dairy-free and halal diets, and all our recipes meet the Heart Foundation’s guide to reducing food-related choking in children aged 2-5. Additional Information: The Government funding to feed 10,000 more preschoolers is for our food programme only – so unlike our current partner centres, children will not receive jackets, shoes and socks and health products at this stage. But KidsCan hopes to be able to raise enough money from public donations to be able to offer our full suite of clothing and health products to you in the future.

KidsCan-Roscommon-ECE-Kids-Group-Lunch

Recipe Information

All menu cycle recipes and allergen information can be found below. These documents provide you with a detailed breakdown of all ingredients in each recipe, plus details on where the food products are sourced from and what these are made from.

Menu Cycle 6 (12 September to 24 October)Menu Cycle 7 (10 November to 19 December)

Programme Impact

Happier, Healthier, More Settled
Teachers tell us children are happier, healthier, and more settled.
Whānau Feel the Difference
"Whānau know their tamariki are well-fed and they save money for other essentials."
Showing Up, Shining Bright
Waikato University found attendance increased and children were more engaged in learning.

Why join the ECE Food for Kids Programme?

Healthy Active Learning Guide

Healthy Active Learning is a government programme that delivers education and health outcomes for children and youth across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ways you can help

Give monthly
Give once
Fundraise for us
Become a partner

Join our mission

Sign up for news and updates on KidsCan’s work. With your support, we can provide the essentials to Kiwi kids in need and give them the opportunity for a better future.

First name

Last name

Email

I am a business

Loading reCAPTCHA Enterprise...