About the School Breakfast Clubs program
The School Breakfast Clubs program seeks to address the impact disadvantage can have on education outcomes by offering free and healthy food for students in 1000 Victorian government schools.
Research shows a child's ability to concentrate in class, self-regulate and learn is negatively impacted if they are hungry. It has been reported that the rising cost of living makes it increasingly difficult particularly for low-income families and families experiencing disadvantage to provide enough healthy food for all the family each week.
The Victorian Government has committed $69 million over four years to continue the delivery of the School Breakfast Clubs Program to 1000 government primary, secondary, specialist and P-12 schools across Victoria.
This builds on the $71 million investment in the program since 2016 with $58 million provided in the 2019/20 Budget to expand the program to an additional 500 schools.
Since the program was established in 2016, it has delivered over 35 million meals to students across the state.
The Victorian Government’s current delivery partner is Foodbank Victoria, the Victorian branch of Australia's largest food welfare agency
The program includes:
- delivery of healthy breakfasts in 1000 Victorian government primary, secondary, P-12, and specialist schools
- provision of nutritious lunches, snacks and take-home packs targeted to students in need
- delivery of cooking classes for families at 100 schools.
How schools are selected
Eligibility for the program is determined using the Student Family Occupation Education (SFOE) index data. This provides an accurate measure of disadvantage.
The program is currently at capacity at 1000 schools and a waitlist is in place for schools interested in participating.
For more information about the School Breakfast Clubs program, and to view an interactive map of participating schools, visit the Foodbank Victoria .
Guidance for schools to deliver the School Breakfast Clubs program
Delivery of the School Breakfast Clubs program is managed by Foodbank Victoria; schools can access the supporting resources on the School Breakfast Clubs page or contact their Foodbank school coordinator.
The program is a universal program and must be available to all students at the school.
The following policy and guidance documents can assist schools implement the relevant hygiene and food handling practices and ensure the School Breakfast Clubs program is delivered safely on-site:
Cooking classes program
Learning about healthy and nutritious food supports students to develop the skills, knowledge and habits they need for growth, learning and development and happy, healthy lives.
The cooking classes program aims to support families to learn new skills in cooking, food safety and meal planning, with a focus on the daily consumption of the five food groups recommended for good health.
The cooking classes are delivered in 25 schools across the state each year. Classes will take place once a week for four weeks in participating schools. All families in each of the eligible schools are invited to participate, and up to 10 families (approximately 1–3 students and 1 parent) will be selected from each participating school to take part.
Expressions of interest to participate in the cooking classes are sent to schools by Foodbank Victoria. Eligibility has been determined using the Student Family Occupation Education (SFOE) index data.
More information
For more information on delivering the School Breakfast Clubs program at your school, visit the Foodbank Victoria .
For general queries about the program, email health.advice@education.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 15 September 2023