Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare and Rotary Club of Albury help put breakfast on the table for Lavington East Public School children 2016
 
BORDER primary school students are learning about good health and the social benefits of the shared table all before the morning bell sounds.
It is part of the Schools Healthy Food and Breakfast program, which is being rolled out this year by the region’s largest emergency food provider, Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare.
Up to 50 students have attended the program at Lavington East Public School daily since it was introduced at the start of term.
School chaplain David Reeks said benefits were wide-reaching with positive impacts on students’ learning.
“It’s a great opportunity for children to be fed to provide them with the energy they need for school and for their concentration and ability to be engaged in the classroom,” he said.
The school’s relieving principal, Carolyn O’Connell, said the children also benefited from eating together in a settled way before classes.
“The social skills are a lovely spin-off and the younger students are being mentored by the older kids too,” she said.
 
GOOD START: Students Kritika Poudel, Riley Costello and Lilly Patten, all 8, enjoy a bite to eat at the breakfast club. Picture: JODIE BRUTON

GOOD START: Students Kritika Poudel, Riley Costello and Lilly Patten, all 8, enjoy a bite to eat at the breakfast club. Picture: JODIE BRUTON

 
 
FoodShare manager Peter Matthews, Rotary Club of Albury president Charlene Gehrig and FoodShare's Vic Citroen visit Lavington East Public School.
 
Schools Healthy Food and Breakfast program 2016
Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare manager Peter Matthews said the FoodShare program was based on the use of predominately locally-grown fresh food, and was for both breakfast and other meals.
“FoodShare will provide healthy eating program support as requested, connect schools with producers, facilitate guest speakers at schools and arrange excursions to develop children’s understanding of where their food comes from,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Albury donated $10,000 to FoodShare, which allowed the breakfast program to be expanded to a whole-of-school approach to good nutrition and food security.
President Charlene Gehrig said the club was delighted to support the program. 
She said since 1990 the club had donated more than $600,000 to local organisations offering community programs. 
“We are especially excited to partner with the Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare and we will continue to assist where we can,” Ms Gehrig said.