Food-relief charity Eat Up has made its three millionth sandwich for children facing food insecurity at school, with the help of company partner Chobani. Eat Up currently supplies more than 20,000 free lunches to children in more than 720 schools across Australia each week.
Eat Up CEO Elise Cook said the charity was the only organisation providing free school lunches on a national scale, and expected to see a 32 per cent increase in demand for its services by July 2024, a startling reminder that children are directly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
According to Foodbank's latest Hunger Report, over three million households (36 per cent) experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, with 77 per cent of those households experiencing it for the first time.
Schools using Eat Up’s services have recorded a 95 per cent increase in concentration levels, 71 per cent increase in classroom participation, and 68 per cent increase in academic performance (Eat Up Evaluation Report).
Chobani's GM ESG Tim Browne, said the work of Eat Up was now more important now than ever given the current cost-of-living crisis.
“By donating our protein-packed yoghurts, we hope to make a meaningful impact in the lives of these Aussie kids, giving them the fuel they need to grow and thrive,” said Browne.
Chobani partnered with Eat Up in May this year, supplying yoghurt pouches adding a minimum of 10.5g of protein to help children get the nutrients they need. Chobani also increases its yoghurt production to meet Eat Up’s supply needs, rather than using existing excess stock, ensuring Eat Up can commit to providing guaranteed, regular free meals.
Cook said that as well as fuelling young bodies, the school lunch program helped increase classroom attendance.
“We hear of many families who previously would hold their kids back and not send them to school because they too embarrassed to send them without food,” she said. “Knowing that there’s food for them at school means they are more likely to send them.”
Cook said delivering Eat Up’s three millionth sandwich was a ‘bitter-sweet’ moment.
“I feel really proud that we’ve been able to deliver 3 million sandwiches and have a positive impact, but so sad that this problem exists and that there are that many lunches needed and that many kids out there who need our support,” said Cook.
