The importance of breakfast in helping to grow healthy minds has been recognised with a million-dollar funding commitment to school breakfast programs.

Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer announced today the two key providers of breakfast programs in schools – Foodbank and KickStart for Kids – would receive government funding of just over $1 million over the next four years.

Last year the programs delivered support to more than 380 different government and non-government schools across the state.

The school breakfast programs are well received in schools and have continued to provide support and relief for some communities and families during the pandemic.

School breakfast programs are available to kids free-of-charge.

Quotes

Attributable to Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer

The State Government is pleased to continue supporting this program as it’s a vital service for thousands of South Australian children.

We know that kids who eat a healthy breakfast each day generally perform better at school – so this is a simple, and effective way we can support the next generation in developing for the future.

While the program has obvious health benefits, we know it also has a positive effect on their social, cultural and emotional wellbeing.

Attributable to Minister for Human Services Nat Cook

I’m really pleased to see this initiative continue for so many thousands of children who deserve the best possible start to their day.

The school breakfast program is in high demand and highly valued especially in disadvantaged school communities.

Attributable to KickStart for Kids Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ian Steel

We are appreciative of this continued funding from the State Government as it supports our not-for-profit organisation to assist disadvantaged school children across South Australia.
We currently serve about 50,000 breakfasts every week in SA schools, so we know this funding will help us deliver positive outcomes to hundreds of children and their families who are doing things tough.

Our school breakfast and lunch programs are one important way in which KickStart for Kids helps achieve positive educational outcomes and increased self-esteem.

Attributable to Foodbank Chief Executive Officer Gregory Pattinson

Extension of financial support will contribute to the continuing supply of food to some of the most vulnerable children In South Australia, allowing them to fulfil their learning potential.

It will assist Foodbank to continue to supply schools in regional and remote parts of SA, and especially to First Nations communities.