Partnering with a bakery to provide breakfast to low-income schools
Abstract
A partnership between a popular bakery chain and schools in low-income areas of the United Kingdom ensures children receive a healthy breakfast to start the day, while the bakery is able to promote a positive public image. This effective practice was highlighted on the Business in the Community website.Issue
While attending an event hosted by a primary school the managing director of a successful bakery learned that most of the school's children began the day without breakfast. For many children in low-income communities, having a healthy breakfast is not part of their morning activities.Action
- A fundraiser and the managing director of a big bakery, got together with the school's head teacher to create a breakfast club.
- The Greggs Breakfast Club provides a free breakfast for primary school children of low-income families.
- Greggs funds all of the food and necessary equipment.
- Under the now well established model, Greggs staff work with school teachers to encourage parents, grandparents and others to run the clubs, including serving the breakfasts, thereby helping them to help others in their own communities.
- As of 2007, there are over 75 Greggs Breakfast Clubs throughout the United Kingdom, and it is intended that this will increase over time.
- Greggs' involvement with schools through the Breakfast Club program creates the high likelihood of additional mutually beneficial opportunities, encouraging volunteerism among staff and learning possibilities for children.
- One such example is when the Greggs Research and Development Center hosted a group of primary school students, during which pupils were introduced to the product development process. Through a series of practical, fun activities the students were shown how consumer insights are turned into trial products and market-tested. As a result of student input during these activities, Greggs developed a special gingerbread biscuit that was promoted throughout the school's regional area.
Context
Greggs is one of the UK's leading retailers specializing in sandwiches, savouries and other bakery products, with a particular focus on takeaway food and catering. It has over 1,200 retail outlets throughout the UK, trading under the Greggs and Bakers Oven brands, and has begun expansion into Belgium.
Business in the Community (BITC) is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member companies. Its purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society.Membership of BITC is a commitment to action and to the continual improvement of the company's impact on society.
Members commit to:
- integrate responsible business practice throughout their business,
- impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage, and
- inspire, innovate and lead by sharing learning and experience.
Outcome
- Breakfast Club programs contribute to improved attendance and classroom performance by reaching pupils who would not otherwise eat breakfast.
- Schools believe the program has strengthened their partnership with the community in which they operate.
- Volunteers find their involvement with the club rewarding and report that it has helped them to develop and improve their skills and competencies.
- Greggs' staff support the program enthusiastically and enjoy seeing the benefits that they can bring to the communities in which they work and live.
Evidence
- The concept has been validated by external independent research, which has shown that breakfast club attendance encourages children to get to school on time and increases attentiveness in class.
- Greggs Breakfast Club has received high commendation in the category of Education and Lifelong Learning Award for Regional Programmes at the 2003 BITC Awards for Excellence.
- Judges Quote: "An excellent example of a partnership between business and the local community. It provides primary school children in areas of particular social disadvantage with a nutritious and social start to the school day, giving significant educational benefits."
Posted On
September 25, 2003Resources
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USA Freedom Corps: for businesses
USDA Food & Nutrition Service: School Breakfast Program