By Laura Michell
Healthy lunches will be provided to students in need at St Albans North Primary School under an expansion of the school’s breakfast club program.
St Albans North Primary School is one of the first schools to sign up to the new state government lunch program.
The school began offering lunches late last month, and is also able to provide holiday supplies to students who need them.
It has been running a breakfast club since 2011.
The breakfast and lunch menu includes a range of healthy options such as muesli, Vita Brits, milk, baked beans, fruit cups, apples and lunch bowls.
St Albans North Primary School principal Robert Parker said the breakfast and lunch programs were “vital” to the school.
“Apart from the fact we are feeding children who might not have food at all, it is also getting them to school and they are arriving earlier,” he said.
“We couldn’t do without [the programs]. They are vital to our whole school program.”
Education Minister James Merlino said the lunch program would mean students from families that are experiencing disadvantage have the support they need to succeed at school.
“Having lunches will make it easier for children who may not be able to bring food to school,” he said.
“We know that children can’t learn properly on an empty stomach – that’s why we’re expanding this program to offer lunches to those who need them most.”
