Food for thought and a lesson for life
SCHOOLCHILDREN who enjoy a healthy breakfast every day are then ready to learn – and that in turn can set them up for life.
That’s the message of the SGF Healthy Living Programme (HLP).
But its work stretches far beyond that, because the programme’s Welby Big Breakfasts, held at schools across Scotland throughout the year, bring benefits to the youngsters’ parents, the convenience retailers and symbol groups who participate and the wider community.
Scottish Grocer joined the HLP team on 15 January at Parkhead Primary School, West Calder, West Lothian, to witness first-hand how successful these events are.
All of the school visits are currently supported by Weetabix, which has generously provided enough of its famous cereal for the HLP to hand out 48,000 sample portions to youngsters. The children also get to try some fresh fruit and banana on toast provided by c-stores and wholesalers.
With the HLP team already having a busy schedule of bookings for Big Breakfasts up until June, there will be plenty of Weetabix being dished out in the months ahead, with donations also made to food banks and other good causes through participating retailers.
The Welby events are unique to Scotland and, with the HLP fully funded by the Scottish Government, director Kathryn Neil and her team make sure the breakfasts are both educational and entertaining.
There is plenty of interaction with the excited youngsters and the core message about the importance of leading a healthier lifestyle is tailored to suit the different ages of the children.
At the end of their breakfast experience with the HLP team, each class or school year leaves with a goody bag.
For P1 to P3, this includes an activity book, a pack of crayons and a fridge magnet, while P4 to P7 get Eat Well Guide packs, which come with a stationery set and a QR code for the HLP website.
The pack includes advice on healthy options to select from different categories. So, when considering carbohydrates such as cereal, for example, it advises choosing wholegrain or higher-fibre versions with less added fat, salt and sugar.
Speaking at Parkhead Primary, where about 400 children passed through the dining hall to get breakfast in just two and a half hours, Kathryn said: “These events are full of fun and energy.
“We see the breakfasts as a way to help tackle child poverty because they show that a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive.
“We’re educating pupils about the importance of fuelling their bodies correctly and encouraging them to take the message home to their parents.”
Children attending the Welby breakfasts usually get vouchers to redeem products or get money off items at whichever convenience store has supported the HLP visit.
The West Calder event was being supported by Scotmid Co-op, which has pledged a 12-month support package for the Welby initiative.
So the Parkhead children received vouchers for 50p off fresh fruit and veg bought at their local Scotmid outlet.
Kathryn added: “The HLP team engage with retailers and encourage them to get involved in whatever way they wish – after all, it’s their programme.
“Our events can help create footfall for the retailers who get involved and show how important convenience stores can be in their local communities.
“Thanks has to go to the stores, wholesalers and retail groups for getting involved, while the support from Weetabix has been amazing and I and the rest of the HLP team are really grateful for it.”
For its part, Weetabix has said it is aligned with the HLP’s commitment to health and wellbeing, while also fostering community engagement and positive lifestyle choices not only for the children but also the families involved.
Weetabix foodservice channel manager David Bone said: “A good education is key to better life outcomes so no child should ever be too hungry to learn.
“As a school governor at a community primary school in London, I have learned the importance of a proper breakfast before the school day.
“That’s why Weetabix, which is low in sugar, fat and salt, fortified with four B vitamins and iron, and high in fibre, is happy to support the HLP Welby events in feeding children and educating them about the importance of starting the day with breakfast.”
The collaboration with Scotmid will ensure that more than 4,600 children experience a Welby Big Breakfast, benefiting 16 primary schools in its communities.
The society is providing fresh goods and essential equipment to help the HLP team deliver the breakfasts.
When the partnership was announced last October, Lynne Ogg, head of membership & community engagement at Scotmid, said: “Our core purpose is to make a positive difference in our communities.
“By ensuring children start the day with a nutritious breakfast, we’re helping to set them up for success in the classroom.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Scotmid east region membership & community manager Kirsty Connell, who was among those helping at the Parkhead Primary event.
She explained that, through the West Calder store, Scotmid had provided the milk, bread, and fruit, including apples, pears, blueberries, melons, satsumas and bananas, as well as items such as napkins and individual serving pots.
Kirsty has worked alongside the HLP for about six years and said: “We can signpost schools to take part in events like this.
“The breakfasts are great because it allows the children to try food in a situation where parents haven’t spent a fortune for them to experience it.”
The HLP visit to Parkhead Primary was welcomed by head teacher Louise Delargy, who explained that the school had been looking at the issues of health and wellbeing and had its own breakfast club.
She said: “We wanted to embrace this event because the HLP educates the children about healthier food and its benefits, as well as the importance of having a healthy breakfast so they are ready to learn.
“We have about 80 children attending our school breakfast club, which runs five days a week from 8am to 8.30am and is free to any pupil who wants to attend.
“Our kitchen and support staff serve up the likes of toast, cereal, fruit and yoghurt. We hope the HLP event will encourage more children to come to our club and that they will realise that they can enjoy a socially interactive breakfast that sets them up for the day.”
The HLP is now in its 21st year and has served breakfasts to more than 39,000 children. It is clear the team’s work won’t be slowing down in 2025.
