School Breakfast Programs play an important role in helping students start the day with access to nutritious food. 

During a recent visit to a local school, the Foodbank Queensland team had the opportunity to see our School Breakfast Program in action and learn more about the positive impact it has on students, families and the community. 

The breakfast service provided students with a variety of options including toast, fresh fruit, crumpets, cheese toasties and other nutritious items, with many items sourced through Foodbank Queensland. The program is run by a dedicated group of parent volunteers who assist with food collection, preparation and service each week. Edwina, the School Breakfast Program Parent Volunteer said:

“Our parent helpers make our Breaky Club a success. They pick up the food and groceries from Foodbank Queensland, get it back to the school, and then on the table for the children.”

The school also demonstrates a strong commitment to minimising food waste and making the most of their available resources. 

“The fruit from Foodbank Queensland is used not only during Breaky Club but offered to students throughout the day in classrooms. Recently, we had a large amount of strawberries, and our wonderful parents used it to make strawberry jam and strawberry cake for the children.” Edwina shared.

The Breaky Club is a true community effort, bringing together volunteers, school staff and families to ensure students start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Cheese toasties are by far the most popular breakfast item, with volunteers often preparing multiple trays each morning to keep up with demand.

“The Breaky Club is always well attended, and the mini pizzas (made with English muffins) and cheese toasties are very popular.” Edwina said. 

“One of our biggest expenses is cheese,” she shared. “To help cover these costs, profits from the school’s second-hand uniform shop are directed back into the Breaky Club. This allows us to buy the items we can’t always source through Foodbank.”