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School food programs

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​​​​​School food programs are becoming a regular feature of many schools across Queensland. Breakfast and lunch programs help to improve student health and learning outcomes and socialisation, and encourage increased attendance and performance.

Healthy eating, along with physical activity, is essential in maintaining good health and wellbeing and can improve behaviours critical to educational success and participation at school.

In 2023, the Queensland Government provided funding to 861 selected schools to support the establishment or enhancement of a school food program for their students. Grants were also paid to external organisations to work with schools to deliver food programs across the state.

School food program funding

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3 kids jumping with text: 'Food program funding'In May 2024, the Queensland Government announced an additional $10.7 million in funding to support school food programs. All 623 Queensland state schools that applied through the expression of interest process will receive funding to support school food programs.​

A total of 135 school communities have been approved to employ a school food coordinator for up to 10 hours a week, and a further 88 schools will receive a $5,000 contribution to employing a coordinator. School food coordinators will help schools run their food programs to provide healthy and nutritious meals for students during the school day.

Applications for 2024 have now closed. For more information, principals should search for 'school food programs' on OnePortal.

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Central Queensland
Darling Downs South West
Far North Queensland
Metropolitan North
Metropolitan South
North Coast
North Queensland
South East
School food coordinator
School food coordinator support payment
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Case study: Wulguru State School

Wulguru State School in North Queensland operates a breakfast club and a lunch program with the support of the school and local community. Both programs are free and open to all 233 students to support their health and wellbeing as well as their engagement with school and learning outcomes.

The breakfast club is supported by food donations from Fuel for Schools Ltd. and Woolworths at Fairfield Waters. Students can choose to eat toast with a variety of spreads, cereal and fresh fruit to get them ready for a great day of learning.

The school’s Healthy Eats committee, made up of volunteers, school staff and students, prepares and serves the food to students.

The YMCA breakfast program provides food vouchers to Wulguru State School to support both of these programs along with additional support to families in the form of vouchers for groceries.

The Eat Up lunch program is supported by Rotary who delivers sandwiches and fruit to the school for any students that need lunch to maintain a full day of learning.

The breakfast and lunch programs help build a culture where students feel cared for and have access to fresh healthy food to maintain their wellbeing. The programs also create an opportunity to model and practice the values of kindness, sharing and care between staff and students as they come together to prepare and serve the food and then sit and eat together.

Being able to meet the basic needs for the students and provide support to their families creates a connection with the school that results in increased student attendance and engagement.

The staff and students at Wulguru State School appreciate the generous support provided from their local and broader community partners. This support enables these programs to continue to foster the health, wellbeing and learning outcomes of the students.

Children using the food program 

 

Children eating 

 

Childrean using the food program 

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Last updated 11 October 2024