School Feeding Officer Rachel Mathurine says that the Ministry of Education recognizes that children who are hungry can be indifferent, disinterested, and irritable when confronted with difficult tasks. Growth, the nonverbal aspects of development, learning, and social skills of undernourished children are significantly affected. But when the physical need of hunger is taken care of, these children can focus on learning and perform better in school, not only educationally but socially and emotionally as well.

Children are continuously growing and changing every day, and a nutritious breakfast provides the sugar, starch, protein, and fat - elements necessary for children to ensure a sustained release of energy and a delayed onset of hunger. Eating breakfast also improves the intake of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, especially iron and vitamin C.

The promise of at least one nutritious meal a day attracts children to school, boost enrolment, promotes regular attendance, and enhances student performance.

The Government of Grenada with assistance from external organizations spends approximately 2.9 million E.C. dollars annually on this initiative. The nation’s primary, selected pre-primary and secondary schools are supplied monthly with cash disbursements for the purchasing of selected food items, salaries for cooks, and equipment to maintain kitchens.

Schools involved in the Breakfast Programme are as follows:

• Crochu R.C. School
• Battle Hill Pre School
• Telescope Primary
• St. Andrew’s Anglican
• St. Michael’s R.C.
• Florida Government
• Calliste Government
• Birch Grove R.C.
• School for Special Education
• Holy Cross R.C.
• School for the Deaf