Breakfast programme proves huge success
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley celebrated the success of KickStart breakfasts at Holy Family School in Mungavin Ave last Thursday.
Since the Government began partnering with Fonterra and Sanitarium in the programme, 3 million breakfasts have been served.
That brings the total to more than 8 million meals since 2009.
All Black Ma’a Nonu, Hurricane Ardie Savea and Maori Party coleader Marama Fox also turned up to support the children and see how KickStart works.
The breakfast programme reaches more than 26,000 children throughout the country.
The Government’s $ 9.5m funding over five years has enabled the programme to expand from two to five mornings a week and to include all primary and secondary schools that want and need it.
‘‘ With the expansion, there’s been a 37 per cent increase in the number of schools taking up the programme, from 573 to 783 schools,’’ Tolley said.
‘‘ Seventy- nine per cent now provide breakfasts for more than two days and 54 per cent are operating the breakfast five days a week.’’
She said schools had indicated the scheme was having a major impact on the wellbeing of the children. Nearly 73 per cent of schools had noted improvements in general health and wellbeing, 72 per cent reported better concentration, 59 per cent said behaviour had improved and 37 per cent believed it had improved children’s academic performance.