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Good Practice Guide for School Breakfast Clubs launched
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 13/09/2012. Tags: Parenting Kids Health
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The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD., attended at Rutland National School in Dublin today to launch ‘A Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs’ which has been developed by Healthy Food for All and funded by the Kellogg Corporate Citizenship Fund and the Kellogg Company of Ireland. Speaking at the launch of ‘A Good Practice Guide for Breakfast Clubs’, Sinéad Keenan, Project Coordinator, Healthy Food for All said: “While we know there are children going to school hungry, we also know that 1 in 4 nine year olds in Ireland are overweight or obese (Growing Up in Ireland 2011). We need to help schools to create healthy and supportive environments which foster the development of healthy eating behaviours from a young age. Research has shown that breakfast clubs have a positive impact on attendance rates, punctuality, educational attainment and on overall health. There are over 500 breakfast clubs operating within Irish schools and community groups and there is the potential for much more. This Guide will act as a practical resource for those who may be considering starting up their own club by helping them access the supports which are currently available.”
Kellogg’s also announced today that the company is working with Healthy Food for All to fund a pilot programme which will support the establishment of four new breakfast clubs in North Dublin. The programme will be open to primary schools in the area, applicant schools will be assessed by Healthy Food for All in October 2012, with funding in place for schools to start serving breakfasts in January 2013. Healthy Food for All will monitor and evaluate the success of these clubs over a two year period.
Commenting on the pilot programme, Sinead Keenan, Project Co-ordinator, added: “This is an example of co-operation between the public, profit and non-profit sector. The School Meals Programme is a vital resource for schools addressing food poverty among school-children. This partnership between Healthy Food for All and Kellogg’s adds value to the government funded School Meals Programme. We are delighted to be partnering with Kellogg’s to support the work that is being done by so many volunteers and teachers to ensure that children are getting the right start to their day.”
The Good Practice Guide for School Breakfast Clubs launched can be downloaded here
SchoolDays
(09-10-2012 08:25)
Hi Maureen
We've checked with kelloggs as to whether secondary schools will be included and this is what they said:
"Give a child a breakfast will be aimed at both primary and secondary schools for breakfast clubs that operate during term time and it will also be open to community based breakfast clubs. The campaign will be launched in full detail later this month so stay tuned for further information! "
SchoolDays
(21-01-2013 16:38)
Hi Jay, thanks for getting in touch.
Kelloggs launched the Help Give a Child a Breakfast campaign last October to help bridge the funding gap for schools and community groups which run breakfast clubs. Over 30,000 has been made available to support breakfast clubs in Ireland. Kelloggs aims to award grants to 60 breakfast clubs across the country as part of the campaign.
Schools and community groups interested in applying for an award should log on to www.giveachildabreakfast.ie for details on how to apply for funding. The closing date for applications is January 31st 2013.
bebe
(13-09-2012 12:40)
Wonderful project... would this be implemented in areas other than Dublin?
Janet mulroy
(02-09-2014 17:31)
How would a person volunteer in a breakfast club?
Anna Maye
(15-04-2015 20:03)
Hi, I live in Naas co, Kildare and i am looking into starting up a breakfast/lunch club in some of the school's here, no child should go to school without a breakfast,i am looking for any tips anyone can give me, i have helped out with the food bank in Naas for a while now and see there are so many families going without. Thank you.
moureen fitzharris
(03-10-2012 17:11)
will this funding be extended to secondary level?
SchoolDays
(17-09-2012 16:15)
Hi Bebe. Schooldays.ie contacted Kellogs and asked them your question and here is what they said:
"The Breakfast Club pilot programme will apply to schools and community groups in North Dublin where Kelloggs European Head Quarters is based. However next month, Kelloggs will be making an exciting announcement about a new initiative which will support breakfast clubs all over the country. Give a Child a Breakfast which offers grants for existing breakfast clubs, ran successfully in the UK last year and this year we are bringin it to Ireland. Stay tuned for more information".
Jay
(21-01-2013 12:56)
Hi, we are setting up a breakfast club in our school next month. While we have some local funding we are wondering if companies like kellogs etc will help by providing cereals? We are a healthy eating school.