A Ministry of Education official has admitted the alternative model for the government’s free school lunch programme is unlikely to be as nutritious as the previous programme, RNZ understands.

The comments came in a webinar hui between the Ministry of Education and intermediate and high school principals, earlier this month.

Principal Sheree Garton, from Levin Intermediate School, asked a question about protein and carbohydrates required in the new meals - and was told the meals would not have the same nutrition standards and would be very unlikely to meet the same nutritional quality as the previous meals because of the cost - though nutrition would be a factor in looking for a new major supplier.