Parliamentary Committees

Social Development Committee: Inquiry into the Prevalence and Effectiveness of Programs in Preschools and Schools to Ensure Children and Young People Do Not Go Hungry During the Day

Debate resumed.

Ms THOMPSON: I was just saying that 2.5 out of four kids in our state arrive without breakfast or lunch. Hopefully, that is not any of these gorgeous kids who joined us today. South Australia is fortunate to have longstanding providers such as Foodbank and KickStart for Kids all delivering breakfast programs across hundreds of schools, often powered by volunteers. In fact, I think mostly powered by volunteers.

In 2024, participation in Foodbank's school breakfast program grew by 14 per cent. The number of public schools offering the program increased by 10 per cent and 76 per cent of public schools are now participating. Our government's increased funding in 2023 has made a real difference. Providers told us it allowed them to meet growing demand and reach more schools. But even with those efforts, the evidence is strong that more is needed. Breakfast programs alone cannot overcome systemic food insecurity nor address lunchtime hunger.

The committee received compelling international and local evidence demonstrating that hunger harms children in multiple ways: lower attention, motivation and cognitive functioning; reduced school attendance; increased behavioural issues; weaker academic outcomes across NAPLAN; higher incidence of social difficulties and victimisation; negative effects on mental health and physical development; greater long-term risk of chronic disease; and ongoing disadvantage into adulthood.

On the other hand, evidence from South Australia, Tasmania, interstate and overseas shows that nutritious school meal programs lead to improved academic performance, better attendance and engagement, enhanced behaviour and classroom climate, strengthened peer relationships, greater social inclusion and healthier lifelong eating patterns, so the benefits there are clear. These outcomes were visible during the committee's visits to Swallowcliffe School, Elizabeth Downs Primary School and Fraser Park Primary School, three schools demonstrating innovative and effective approaches to school meals and food education.

The committee explored a range of Australian and international models, from Tasmania's rapidly expanding School Food Matters program to long-established universal systems in Japan, Finland and New Zealand. A clear theme emerged: a universal model will work best. They reduce stigma, increase participation, support consistent nutrition and strengthen community cohesion. The committee identified proportionate universalism as the most suitable approach for South Australia. That means a universal program available to all students at participating schools, with rollout beginning in category 1 and 2 public primary schools where the need is currently greatest and providing flexibility for schools to adapt local delivery models.

The committee has made several recommendations to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills. These recommendations set a clear pathway for strengthening food security in our schools and ensuring that no child is left behind. Firstly, the committee recommends that the government develop, fund and implement a nutritious, school-provided meals program, drawing on the successful models already operating at Swallowcliffe and also in Tasmania. These programs demonstrate that well-designed school meals can significantly improve student wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes.

Secondly, the committee strongly encourages the government to continue its support for the existing breakfast programs delivered by Foodbank SA and KickStart for Kids and other community partners, recognising the vital role that these services play in meeting immediate needs. Thirdly, the committee recommends that any future school meals program be developed with a strong evidence based and comprehensive inclusive framework. This includes:

drawing on the expertise of academic, public health and community specialists;

adopting a model of proportionate universalism, ensuring support reaches the schools with the greatest need first;

embedding an anti-stigma approach so that no child feels singled out or ashamed for receiving a meal;

investing in robust data collection, monitoring and program evaluation;

undertaking infrastructure audits and providing targeted grants to upgrade school kitchens and food preparation areas; and

adopting an across-government 'health in all policies' approach, ensuring collaborative input from Health, Human Services, Primary Industries and Education.

The committee has acknowledged that a program like this will require significant funding and that detailed statewide costings have not yet been undertaken; however, the evaluation of the Eat Well Everyday pilot at Swallowcliffe School will provide critical evidence of cost, feasibility and social return on investment.

Hunger should never be a barrier to a child's education, yet for too many children in South Australia it is. This report provides clear evidence of the problem, strong data on the consequences and a practical road map for action. A universal nutritious school meals program, delivered in stages and based on demonstrated need, has the potential to transform educational outcomes, improve health and wellbeing, and strengthen communities across our state. It is an investment not only in children but in South Australia's future. I commend the committee's 51^st report to the house and thank all who contributed to this important work.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (11:48): I rise to make a few brief comments on this report of the Social Development Committee into the prevalence and effectiveness of programs in preschools and schools to ensure children and young people do not go hungry during the day. I was very pleased to host the Social Development Committee in Murray Bridge. We went to Fraser Park where we saw the excellent program put in place by the whole school. All of the teachers are involved and the student services officers to make sure that people get appropriate nutrition so they can learn properly.

As has been already indicated by the member for Davenport, better nutrition ensures that the children are attentive and can learn more. I think schemes like this should be progressed more. We have seen breakfast clubs in general go right across the state and now there are lunch clubs in place as well, but there is also this extra element of these special food programs to make sure we get that really nutritious food to the people who need it: the students of this state.

I do thank the committee for coming out to Murray Bridge to have a look at Fraser Park. It is a neat little school in Murray Bridge and they do a great job educating our future leaders. I commend the motion.

Motion carried.