Students are more likely to achieve their learning potential when they have access to adequate and healthy food. Breakfast can be the ideal start to a day of learning and can contribute to students’ sense of belonging when offered in a friendly environment.

Almost 10% of South Australian students skip breakfast every day. Research shows that there are varied and complex reasons that students either don’t access or skip breakfast.

The department provides a range of funding to give children and students who need it access to food at school or preschool.

Breakfast programs

Government schools, preschools and children’s services can access breakfast programs through 2 providers:

• Foodbank SA
  Phone: 8351 1136
  Email: reception@foodbanksa.org.au

• Kickstart for Kids
  Phone: 0400 005 880
  Email: ian@kickstartforkids.com.au

If your child needs access to a breakfast program, talk to your school in the first instance.

The department works closely with breakfast program providers and education services to promote the distribution of healthy and safe food and drink options to schools, through the Right Bite Food and Drink Supply standards.

Funding and grants programs

Cost of living pressures can impact families’ ability to consistently access nutritious food.

The department provides funding to support schools and preschools to:

• increase the number of children and students accessing breakfast programs where these programs are currently offered
• enable schools or preschools who currently don’t run breakfast programs to offer one
• enable eligible schools and preschools to support initiatives to address food insecurity.

Expanded funding for breakfast programs announced in June 2023 makes sure that schools and preschools in communities where families are most at risk are given priority.

Advice for schools and preschools

Staff can find out more about breakfast program funding for schools and preschools (staff login required) including what grants are available.

Government schools, preschools and education services are encouraged to contact Foodbank SA or Kickstart for Kids so they can:

• opt in to a breakfast program
• discuss any increasing demand to their breakfast programs, with priority given to schools and preschools in communities where families are most at risk.