NSW LABOR: SUPPORTING FOODBANK TO CONTINUE MEALS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN PROGRAM
A Minns Labor Government will commit $8 million to Foodbank NSW & ACT to help it continue the School Breakfast 4 Health program – which currently delivers millions of nutritious breakfasts to children across more than 500 schools.
The funding would help Foodbank continue the successful program over the next four years, meaning they could support 1000 schools in total.
The program has been credited with improving health, participation, learning and social development outcomes.
It has been found to have improved nutrition and eating habits; improved mental and physical health; and assisted in combating childhood obesity.
School Breakfast 4 Health has also been attributed with reducing absenteeism, improving punctuality, enhancing engagement and productivity in the classroom, and improving concentration.
And it has led to improvements in learning outcomes, including readiness to learn, cognitive function, educational outcomes and assisting improved test results.
In terms of social development, the program was found to have contributed to developing social and leadership skills, widening social networks and friendships, and building stronger relationships between students and staff.
According to data from Foodbank, around three children in every classroom across Australia are going hungry.
Right here in NSW, 23 per cent of households in NSW are classified as “severely food insecure”.
In addition to this, 12 per cent are deemed “moderately food insecure”.
Meanwhile, the cost-of-living crisis has been exacerbated by rising interest rates, rising electricity prices and with Sydney CPI increasing by 7.6 per cent over the past year alone, more NSW families struggling to make ends meet.