Matthew Sims
Foodbank Victoria’s Brooklyn distribution warehouse has been busy over the summer break to ensure students across the state received healthy meals over the holiday period.
Education Minister and Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins visited the warehouse on Sunday, January 15 to acknowledge about 6000 being delivered to families over the summer break across 1000 government schools, while more than 28 million free, healthy meals have been provided to students in schools as part of the state government’s School Breakfast Clubs program.
With more than $71 million of state government funding contributed so far, the program would restart for the first term later this month.
Under the program, healthy breakfasts were available to all students, with lunches and home food supplies, including food products for holiday periods provided to students requiring additional support.
Interactive cooking classes focused on healthy and accessible meal choices have also been a key feature of the program and offered to families in 100 disadvantaged school communities.
Foodbank Victoria also operated mobile supermarket buses visiting schools around Victoria to provide healthy and nutritious food to families in need.
Ms Hutchins said the programs have helped families struggling through the holiday period keep their children healthy.
“We understand that programs like the School Breakfast Club provide many students and their families with a helping hand and that’s why providing holiday food packs over the summer break is so important,” she said.
“The program has already made a huge difference to students who need a bit of extra support to have a nutritious, delicious meal every morning and we’re proud to support the School Breakfast Club the whole year round.”
