The revelation that the KidsCan charity has been overwhelmed by demand from schools for food for hungry pupils shows the Labour Government is completely out of touch, says National Party Leader John Key.

"The charity reports that since publicity about this issue, it's had 50 further schools added to the 61 it already has wanting help. And they keep getting more schools coming forward every day.

"This shows the extent of the problem, and makes the denials by Helen Clark and her Labour Government about the extent of the issue even more farcical.

"Since I launched National's Food in Schools initiative on February 3, we have been working to put generous corporate donors in touch with needy schools. KidsCan has already benefited from donations from Tasti Foods and James Crisp Ltd.

"But much more obviously needs to be done, and National intends to keep going with its Food in Schools initiative.

"While Labour denies the extent of the problem, National and corporate donors are acting.

"I understand Helen Clark is visiting the Auckland suburb of Owairaka today following on from my visit to McGehan Close in that suburb on February 3.

"This visit shows she's following rather than leading.

"Perhaps she could start leading by not denying that a major issue exists in our schools with hungry pupils."