Growing number of children arriving at school hungry, study reveals

Ellen O'Donoghue

A growing number of children in Ireland are arriving at school hungry, a new study has revealed.

The research, commissioned by Kellogg’s to mark 10 years of its Breakfast Clubs programme in Ireland, found that over half (58 per cent) of teachers surveyed see students arriving without breakfast very often, with a further 42 per cent observing it often.

The study was conducted among teachers in 45 schools supported by Kellogg’s Breakfast Clubs, and 92 per cent of teachers agreed that mitigating short term hunger was the most important benefit of breakfast clubs.

Almost half of all teachers, or 42 per cent, believed the cost of living crisis has had a major impact on students’ access to breakfast at home, with an additional 33 per cent reporting a significant impact.

Despite the challenges, the research found that 58 per cent of teachers believed breakfast clubs effectively mitigated the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their students.

The study also highlighted wider benefits of breakfast clubs with three quarters of teachers noticing improved punctuality, and 67 per cent noticing increased energy levels and classroom participation.

67 per cent of teachers found breakfast clubs impacted educational attainment and improved attendance.

All teachers surveyed agreed that breakfast clubs provide a sense of community and belonging for students from migrant backgrounds, with 83 per cent noting increased social interaction opportunities.

Shauna Lenagh, General Manager of Kellogg’s Ireland said that the findings were a stark reminder of the challenges facing families and the vital role breakfast clubs play.

“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,” she said.

Kellogg’s provides annual financial contributions through the Community Foundation Ireland, enabling schools to manage their breakfast programmes and make decisions based on the specific needs of their students.

The schools are then able to choose how the funding is spent and can use it to purchase any breakfast supplies they wish, equipment, and/or operational costs.

Dee Kiely, principal of St Francis Senior National school, said that the breakfast club has been a “lifeline” for students, “providing a great start to the day and setting them up for success in the classroom.”

Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland, added that the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club programme “demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing critical community needs.”