Bakery launches kids’ nourishment initiative

George Weston Foods (GWF) has launched a long-term programme called Nourish Our Kids, in partnership with the KidsCan Charitable Trust, which aims to address child hunger in New Zealand – beginning with a donation of 100,000 loaves of Tip Top Bakery bread to schools each year.

The launch phase of the programme involves supplying the bread to hungry children in deciles one to four primary and intermediate schools throughout New Zealand, helping provide the nourishment they need to succeed.

Since 2008, GWF – owner of the Tip Top Bakery brand – has donated more than 30,000 loaves of bread to schools annually as part of the KidsCan food programme and is now taking this support to a whole new level.

By the end of 2013, the Nourish Our Kids Programme will triple the number of schools receiving weekly bread deliveries. An additional 50,000 loaves will be distributed during the course of the year, thanks to extra fundraising by KidsCan, bringing the total to 150,000 loaves of several varieties.

CEO and co-founder of KidsCan, Julie Chapman says: “Our goal is to ensure no New Zealand child in a decile one to four primary or intermediate school goes hungry. The support from Tip Top Bakery …means we are well on the way to achieving this. Meeting the nutritional needs of hungry kids helps close the gap for children less fortunate than others, meaning they can be more engaged in their education.”

New Zealand Nutrition Foundation Nutritionist Sarah Hanrahan says: “Bread is an important food for children; it’s nutritious, versatile and most importantly they love eating it.”

Kids Can was founded in 2005 and today and feeds more than 4,500 disadvantaged New Zealand children per day, in 265 low decile schools nationwide. KidsCan also provides shoes and warm raincoats to more than 16,000 children each year.