Children, Food and Poverty: Food Insecurity Among Primary School Students in the Wellington Region

Abstract

This research utilises a questionnaire, completed by 115 primary school principals in the Wellington region, to explore the link between poverty and food insecurity among children. Principals recorded the number of children estimated to be regularly hungry at school for the month of May 2004, and the number of children who regularly came to school without having eaten breakfast and who regularly had no lunch during that month. Principals also provided information on how their school responds to hungry children and gave their opinions on whether schools were responsible for solving food insecurity issues among children. Principals' responses were analysed within a critical realist sociological perspective. This research confirms that a small but significant number of primary school children in the Wellington region experience serious food insecurity, and that food insecurity is strongly correlated with poverty. Two-thirds of children estimated to be regularly hungry are from schools in low socio-economic areas (Decile 1 to 4 schools), and nearly three quarters of children that regularly do not have lunch come from these schools. Ten percent of children in Decile 1 and 2 schools were estimated by their principal to be regularly hungry throughout the school day during May 2004. The responses of schools to hungry children were in most instances inadequate and often ad-hoc, showing little consideration of the outcomes for children. However, the small number of schools in the Wellington region who have developed detailed policy and procedures to respond to hungry children appear to be successful in limiting stigmatisation of children and their families. This thesis argues that responses to food insecure children must consider the causes of food insecurity, and in order to prevent stigmatisation, should be founded on the principle of social justice rather than charity.