Students at Durack Institute of Technology's Carnarvon campus are now starting their day with a free healthy breakfast supplied by Foodbank WA's school breakfast program.
Since the program commenced on Monday 21 March 2011 an average of 14 students are now benefitting from the most important meal of the day.
There are three main groups of students accessing the program: those enrolled in the GATE program (Gaining Access to Training & Employment), students enrolled in the Rio Tinto Work Ready program and hospitality students.
The lecturers Liz McBride, Morris Baumgarten and Lexie Ward have already noticed the impact on their students.
"The students are arriving at Durack earlier and are more engaged. They are able to concentrate better in class and are staying on campus longer. It's great to see the students interacting socially with students in other courses," said Hospitality Lecturer, Lexie Ward.
Under the program, students are fed canned fruit, wheat biscuits, bread, vegemite, canned spaghetti, baked beans, UHT milk and UHT juice.
Hospitality students have also been using the program as practice for Occupational Health and Safety and workplace hygiene, and will eventually incorporate receiving and storing stock and stock rotation.
For more information on the school breakfast program, visit www.schoolbreakfastprogram.com.au
Carnarvon students enjoying breakfast with Durack's Indigenous Services Officer Barry Bellotti (second from left)