A recent study of 900 parents of primary school children revealed that 19% of kids who do not start their day with breakfast do so because their parents claim they don’t have any suitable food at home. Only one in five children eat breakfast every day, with 47% of parents worrying that their children will be hungry before their first break at school. Additionally, 31% of parents are concerned about their children’s ability to concentrate due to missing breakfast. To combat this issue, one in 10 parents have turned to school breakfast clubs to ensure their children have access to food. General Mills, in collaboration with the Greggs Foundation, provides 1.2 million breakfasts annually for children through its Breakfast Club programme to help address this issue.
When children do eat breakfast at home on a school day, only 31% of parents are ‘very confident’ that they’re receiving all the necessary nutrition. Two thirds of parents who struggle to afford breakfast cite rising food costs as the main reason. Approximately 15% of respondents have used a food bank to provide meals for their families, with an additional 20% believing they will soon need to turn to a food bank for assistance. Despite 72% of parents believing breakfast is crucial for their child’s day, nearly 10% admit that without breakfast clubs, their children would often miss out on this important meal. About 38% of parents find that their children are often or very often hungry as soon as they wake up, highlighting the need for additional support for families.
In response to these challenges, General Mills stated that parents want to ensure their children are receiving the nutrition they need for a successful start to each day. However, many families are struggling to meet this need. Food banks and breakfast clubs continue to play a vital role in providing resources to families facing food insecurity and ensuring children have access to necessary meals. The General Mills spokesperson emphasized the importance of making sure no child goes without breakfast, as it is essential for providing the energy kids need to sustain them through the school day, where they are exercising both their minds and bodies. Families should not feel alone in their struggles with providing daily meals, and the partnership between General Mills and the Greggs Foundation aims to address this issue and support families in need.
The study also highlighted concerns about the rising cost of food and the impact it has on families’ ability to afford breakfast. With 64% of parents struggling to provide meals in the morning due to increasing food costs, many are looking for support to ensure their children have access to nutritious meals. The reliance on food banks and breakfast clubs has become a common practice for families facing financial difficulties, with one in six parents having used a food bank to provide meals for their loved ones. As more families anticipate the need for food bank assistance in the near future, it is evident that additional resources and support are necessary to address food insecurity among children and families across the UK.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of addressing food insecurity among primary school children and the challenges parents face in providing breakfast for their families. The findings reveal significant concerns about children going hungry before school and their ability to concentrate without a nutritious meal. The partnership between General Mills and the Greggs Foundation, which provides breakfasts for children through its Breakfast Club programme, aims to support families in need and ensure that no child goes without breakfast. By offering resources such as food banks and breakfast clubs, families can receive help in accessing essential meals for their children, highlighting the importance of community support in addressing food insecurity and ensuring children have the nutrition they need to thrive.
