Behind 75 million breakfasts and counting

Our team joined representatives from Sanitarium and Ministry of Social Development at Pokuru School in the Waikato to celebrate their volunteers.

Waikato’s Pokuru School’s breakfast club serves Anchor Milk and Weet-Bix to students every school day. The club is supported by a group of parents and volunteers, including Sue Barton, a Fonterra farmer, who says volunteering is her way of staying connected with the community.

“Both my children and grandchildren went to Pokuru School, so being part of the breakfast club is a wonderful way to give back and keep those ties strong. Seeing the kids run up to say hello and grab their breakfast is always a highlight. It’s such a simple moment but brings so much joy,” she says. 

Sue is one of 5,000 volunteers who help run the programme at more than 1,500 schools across Aotearoa New Zealand. These breakfast clubs have become a place for tamariki (children) to come together, share kai (food) and build positive, supportive relationships.

Managing Director Co-operative Affairs Matt Bolger says our Co-op is proud to work alongside partners and volunteers in the programme.

“We are proud to play our part in KickStart Breakfast, working alongside our partners, teachers, student leaders, whānau (family) and the 5,000 volunteers, who generously give their time to support their communities.”

“Our Co-op is committed to supporting communities with the natural goodness of dairy. Partnering with Sanitarium and the Ministry for Social Development means all of us can help deliver good quality nutrition that fuels tamariki and rangatahi (young people) across New Zealand while building strong relationships and growing future leaders,” Matt says.

KickStart Breakfast is a partnership between Fonterra, Sanitarium and the Ministry of Social Development, designed to positively impact child well-being through providing access to nutritious food at school.

Since 2009, KickStart Breakfast has served more than 75 million breakfasts and now reaches over 45,000 tamariki and rangatahi every school day.

KickStart Breakfast Programme Manager Tracey Putt says the benefits go far beyond a meal.

“The programme helps students start the day happier and more settled, with a greater ability to focus on learning, which has contributed to better school attendance, improved behaviours, and greater educational outcomes,” Tracey says.