Stories from the School Breakfast Program

More than 1 in 4 South Australian children have experienced hunger in the last 12 months. Foodbank South Australia and Central Australia want to make sure that all children have access to a nutritious breakfast to help ensure they are given the equal start in life they deserve. Foodbank delivers School Breakfast Programs to more than 300 schools directly across South Australia. Each year schools participating in the Program complete an annual survey. This allows us to gather feedback to assess the impact of the School Breakfast Programs on the students, their families and the school community.

The stories that follow share the impact of the School Breakfast Program in two schools and demonstrates why the Program is so important to them. The first story is from a school based in metropolitan Adelaide and the second was shared with us from a school in regional South Australia.

A School Breakfast Program story from a school in metropolitan Adelaide

“Hospitality is always the way to communication and building relationship”

How do you run the School Breakfast Program at your school?

Breakfast of toast and cereal is available four days per week, Monday to Thursday through the front office to students. On Friday’s School Breakfast Program starts at 8.15am and is open to parents and carers who join in to have breakfast with their child/children in a relaxed atmosphere. There is toast with available spreads, cereals, a variety of milk types, canned fruit, hot spaghetti and baked beans, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Our School Breakfast Program is now happening in our new all-weather pavilion (outdoor kitchen). This is proving to be a valuable experience for all, particularly in the low socio-economic area that we are in.

Growing relationships and trust with parents and carers gives insight into their struggles and needs. We are then able to assist the children and their families with essential things they need, as well as developing understanding and openness. Our School Breakfast Program builds community. Thank you, Foodbank, for what you do that enables us to do our part.

What do you think are the main benefits of the Foodbank SA School Breakfast Program?

Children starting the day with a tummy full of nutrition that helps them to be “ready to learn.” Hospitality is always the way to communication and building relationship. This is essential to community growth. The School Breakfast Program is a perfect way to build this.

What impact has the increased cost of living pressures and extreme weather events had on the School Breakfast Program and the students’ food relief needs at your school?

A huge impact. Last week there were quite a few of our families impacted with power outages, loss of work, increased interest rates and rent. All of this has seen an increase in needed support and assistance.

Have you seen any of the following improvements in students engaged in your schools School Breakfast Program?

Yes, these include;
• Classroom engagement
• Social Skills
• Academic outcomes
• Attendance
• Satisfied and happy students

Have you had any feedback from students and/or their families about the Program? If yes, what feedback have you received?

Yes, students love to come and eat at school. They feel cared for and know they will always get breakfast. Parents have expressed appreciation regarding the opportunities to build relationships within the community that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

Do you have any School Breakfast Program case studies you could share with Foodbank SA?

Yes, there have been families whose children never had lunch and came to school without having breakfast. The School Breakfast Program gave them stability and peace of mind to know they would always get breakfast and lunch every week day. Two of these children were often sitting alone on a bench, looking quite sad and never talking to anyone about what they were sad about. When they were provided with food their confidence rose the sitting alone sad ceased. The free fruit, veg and bread is made into a hampers that the children from designated families take home to help provide a meal. Students, especially boys, love taking food home, they feel like they are contributing to the household.

Please feel free to provide any comments and/or feedback you have about the Program or other food relief needs at your school

There has been a 50% increase in the number of families who need food assistance on a regular basis, making the program support even more important than ever before.

A School Breakfast Story from a regional South Australian School

“The breakfast program has been life changing for many of our students”

How do you run the School Breakfast Program at your school?

We run the breakfast program every day in our kitchen space at the back of our school based preschool. We fund a SSO to run the Program every morning. We offer cereal, toast and fruit daily. We also have a special morning a few times a week when we offer other items, such as, baked beans, spaghetti, scrambled eggs or pancakes. In addition to Foodbank’s support, we often have donations of eggs and honey from local farming families.

What do you think are the main benefits of the Foodbank SA School Breakfast Program?

The breakfast program has been life changing for many of our students. It helps our students from low social-economic backgrounds but it also helps the 80% of our students who travel by bus for nearly an hour every day to get to school. They used to arrive hungry and we were often providing extra lunches or snacks/fruit throughout the day. Since we have had the breakfast program the children eat when they get to school this helps with engagement and behaviour and connection to their peers and school.

Have you seen any of the following improvements in students engaged in your schools School Breakfast Program?

Yes, these include;
• Concentration and focus in the classroom
• Classroom engagement
• Social Skills
• Academic outcomes
• Attendance

What is the greater impact of the Program for the students, school and wider community?

Our students feel connected to the school and that their needs are being met. Our community strongly values the program and often provides feedback about what a great initiative this was for our students.

Have you had any feedback from students and/or their families about the Program? If yes, what feedback have you received?

Yes, our community and our students value the program very much. Our families often provide positive feedback about the program and state that it is a fantastic program.

Do you have any School Breakfast Program case studies you could share with Foodbank SA?

We have one family that travels to school via bus every day. In the past when we didn’t offer breakfast club and the 3 students would eat their lunch almost immediately on getting to school. This often meant that they had nothing to eat later in the day and were hungry and the school would make a daily extra lunch for them. This was embarrassing for the students and sometimes they would not ask and just go without any extra food. Since we have had a School Breakfast Program, they happily join in with the other children every morning. We no longer have to provide extra food at school during the day and the children seem happier.

Please feel free to provide any comments and/or feedback you have about the Program or other food relief needs at your school

We are so pleased to be able to support our families with the School Breakfast Program. This has a significant impact on our families, students and our community and we appreciate the support from Foodbank in providing this program.