Tuesday, August 16, 2005

[New Zealand] Poverty group wants free school breakfasts

From Stuff

By ANNA SAUNDERS

A report that record numbers of people are asking for food parcels has prompted calls for the Government to provide free breakfasts at low-income schools.

The report by Child Poverty Action Group found that, despite the growth of the economy, demand at New Zealand's biggest foodbank, Auckland City Mission, has soared in the past decade. About 300 parcels were given out in the first quarter of 1996, and 1000 in the same period this year.

Demand has increased at other foodbanks, but fallen at some.

"While some families have been able to take advantage of recent improved economic conditions those who have not have further fallen behind," researcher Donna Wynd said.

The report, Hard to Swallow: Foodbank Use in New Zealand, said the number of Auckland foodbanks had mushroomed since the 1991 benefit cuts.

It was commissioned after research suggested demand had fallen. Ms Wynd said that though criteria for receiving parcels had often changed or parcels had become bigger and lasted longer, demand had not dropped overall.

Wellington City Mission community services director Kathy Loveday said demand for food parcels had grown since the mid-nineties, peaking at 250 a month.

Recently, however, demand had fallen slightly. This was probably because of low unemployment and tighter criteria for food parcel claimants to satisfy.

A typical package for a single adult might include tins of spaghetti, baked beans and fruit, as well as cheese, milk powder, pasta and sauce, and meat if available.

Downtown Community Ministry director Stephanie McIntyre said demand for food parcels had been steady at 25 a week.

Gambling and addiction were often behind foodbank use and the ministry had launched a food voucher scheme. Some users' salaries or benefits were paid directly to the ministry, which paid their rent and bills and then issued a voucher for a supermarket instead of cash.

Child Poverty Action Group has called for the Government to provide breakfasts at low-income schools. It estimated that breakfast costs for all decile one and two state schools would be up to $25 million a year.

The group also wants the weekly $15 child tax credit for low-income families to be made available to all.

Rata Street School in Lower Hutt began a breakfast programme six weeks ago. Principal David Appleyard said a supermarket provided food at cost and Hutt Valley district health board had given $7000 toward it. Breakfast packages, including cereals, milk and bread, were sold for $5 to 25 families a week.

Mr Appleyard said it was too soon to tell if the scheme had improved pupils' concentration.

A Health Ministry spokeswoman said there were no plans to fund a breakfast in schools programme.

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