A new study reveals a growing number of children in Ireland are arriving at school hungry, with teachers on the front lines witnessing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis firsthand. The research, commissioned by Kellogg's to mark 10 years of its Breakfast Clubs programme in Ireland, found that over half (58%) of teachers surveyed see students arriving without breakfast very often, with a further 42% observing this often. This alarming trend underscores the critical role of school breakfast programmes for vulnerable children.
The study, conducted among teachers in 45 schools supported by Kellogg's Breakfast Clubs, paints a concerning picture of childhood food insecurity in Ireland:
- Nearly all teachers (92%) agree that mitigating short-term hunger is the most important benefit of breakfast clubs.
- 42% of teachers believe the cost-of-living crisis has had a major impact on students' access to breakfast at home, with an additional 33% reporting a significant impact.
- Despite the challenges, 58% of teachers believe breakfast clubs are effectively mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their students.
Beyond addressing hunger, the research highlights the wider benefits of breakfast clubs:
- Improved Punctuality, Energy Levels, and Classroom Participation: 75% of teachers observed improvements in punctuality, while 67% noted increased energy levels and better classroom participation since the introduction of breakfast clubs.
- Boosting Educational Attainment and Attendance: 67% of teachers believe breakfast clubs positively impact educational attainment, with the same percentage observing improved attendance.
- Fostering Inclusion and Belonging: All teachers surveyed (100%) agreed that breakfast clubs provide a sense of community and belonging for students from migrant backgrounds, with 83% noting increased social interaction opportunities.
Over the past decade, Kellogg's has donated over €500,000 to its Breakfast Clubs programme in partnership with the Community Foundation Ireland, benefitting over 28,000 children. This year alone, Kellogg’s has contributed over €100,000, supporting over 4,000 students.
"These findings are a stark reminder of the challenges facing families and the vital role breakfast clubs play," said Shauna Lenagh, General Manager of Kellogg's Ireland. "For 10 years, we've been proud to partner with the Community Foundation Ireland on this vital initiative. We're committed to continuing to support these programmes and ensure no child starts their day hungry."
Understanding the importance of autonomy for schools, Kellogg’s provides annual financial contributions through the Community Foundation Ireland, empowering schools to manage their breakfast programmes and make decisions based on the specific needs of their students. The schools have full autonomy on how the funding is spent and can use it to purchase any breakfast supplies they wish, equipment, and/or operational costs.
"The Kellogg's Breakfast Club has been a lifeline for our students, providing a great start to the day and setting them up for success in the classroom, said Dee Kiely, Principal at St. Francis Senior National School. “The Kellogg's Breakfast Club has been transformative, having a positive impact on our students’ ability to learn and thrive.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added, "The Kellogg's Breakfast Club programme demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing critical community needs. We are proud to collaborate with Kellogg's on this vital work."
This long-term support underscores Kellogg’s Better Days Promise commitment to advancing sustainable and equitable access to food by creating better days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030.
