First for Midden-Groningen
On 2 October, the municipality of Midden-Groningen (since 1 January 2018, a municipality consisting of the former municipalities of Hoogezand-Sappemeer, Slochteren and Menterwolde) became the first municipality in the province of Groningen to launch the Child & Breakfast project. Together with the Red Cross, the municipality is distributing a free breakfast bag to 100 primary school pupils for one school year. The aim of the initiative is to ensure that children do not start the school day on an empty stomach. The breakfast bags contain varying items, including bread, toppings, vegetables or fruit. After this school year, it will be assessed whether and how the municipality wants to continue the initiative and how this could be funded.
At the time, Midden-Groningen alderman Erik Drenth explained the launch of the project: “For years, the province of Groningen has been dealing with unequal opportunities and increasing poverty. Through the Time for the Future project, we want to ensure that all children in Midden-Groningen have the same opportunities. Children who come to school without breakfast perform less well during the morning. By distributing these breakfast bags, the schools, municipality and social organisations are joining forces. After all, it is a responsibility we all share.”
Also in the rest of the province of Groningen
The proponents of the motion want children in the rest of the province of Groningen to also be able to benefit from a scheme like the one in Midden-Groningen. The proponents acknowledge that the province does not actually have a responsibility in this area, but according to the municipality, it can play “a meaningful supra-municipal role”.
It is unclear how many children in the province of Groningen go to school without breakfast. An estimated one in thirteen children and young people grow up in poverty. Next year, the government will allocate €166 million for free meals at schools. More than 1,300 schools have registered for the scheme.