More than 1,100 schools are now serving free, healthy breakfasts due to the Allan Labor Government’s School Breakfast Clubs Program – giving busy families one less thing to worry about as they start the day.
School Breakfast Clubs provide free healthy breakfasts for every student – making sure they start the day on a full stomach, ready to learn.
“Our free School Breakfast Clubs are giving busy families one less thing to worry about when they rush out the door in the morning. In a cost of living crisis, it’s just one way we can help make life a bit easier,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
It also provides lunches, snacks and take-home food packs for students and families in need, delivered in partnership with Foodbank Victoria.
A $21.1 million boost in the Victorian Budget 2024/25 has made the program available to every government school, building on the $141.2 million invested in the program since 2016.
More than 100 new schools have opted-in during the last 12 months, with that number expected to reach 150 by June.
This will give more than 600,000 students access to free breakfasts that meet healthy eating guidelines, prioritising fresh and locally-produced foods.
Menu options include cereals, fresh fruit, soups and rice dishes.
“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach – that’s why as part of a world-class education we’re giving students a free, healthy breakfast before school every day in the education state,” Minister for Education Ben Carroll said.
Since the program was established, School Breakfast Clubs have served 52 million meals.
140 schools have also hosted cooking classes for families to help them prepare healthy, affordable meals at home.
Unlike the Liberals, who cut Free Fruit Fridays, the Labor Government is dedicated to making sure students start their day on a full stomach – with 52 million meals already served up to Victorian kids.
The free Schools Breakfast Club Program is just one way the Labor Government is helping families with cost-of-living pressures.
The $400 School Saving Bonus is also saving families money on uniforms, textbooks, camps and more, while Smile Squad free checkups are saving them a trip to the dentist.
