Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) launches breakfast pilot program with Sanitarium

Children enrolled at one of BbP’s Library Learning Centres in Port Moresby will receive a healthy breakfast every day as part of a new pilot program launched today in partnership with the Australian Export Consortia (AEC), Market 2000 and Sanitarium PNG.

International research has demonstrated that education and nutrition reinforce each other, and that Early Childhood Education Programs which offer breakfast for the children are particularly efficient in improving overall health and education outcomes.

As part of BbP’s newly launched Nutrition Education program, enrolled children are being encouraged to “eat a rainbow” of differently coloured fruits and vegetables, grains, vitamin-enriched rice, fish, eggs and peanuts every day to give them the health and energy to be attentive and focused in class.

When children eat a diet high in ultra-processed foods, they are consuming foods that have no nutrients and fibre to sustain them for a day of learning. Growing bodies and minds need a diet rich in nutrients such as locally grown fruit and vegetables, animal protein, eggs and grains.

BbP received the donation of a fridge and will receive weekly deliveries of Weet-Bix breakfast cereal and plant-based milk from Sanitarium. The Parents Committee will be assisting BbP’s teachers with serving the children and washing up bowls and spoons.

James Weinert from the Australian Export Consortia said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Buk bilong Pikinini which will allow us to support children with their well-being. The program intends to provide them with a nutritious start to their day to help ensure they are ready to learn, when they otherwise may not have breakfast or only have access to food with poor nutritional value. The children will enjoy two of Sanitarium’s staple health food products.

Weet-Bix™ which are packed full of 97% wholegrain goodness, and provide a source of iron which is essential for brain health - studies have shown iron can help fight tiredness and fatigue. Weet-Bix™ is a natural source of high fibre (which assists with feeling full for longer) and are also low in fat and sugar, containing five essential vitamins and minerals.

The breakfast cereal will be served with So Good™ Oat Unsweetened Milk, a delicious plant-based beverage with the goodness of oats, plus calcium and vitamins D, B2 and B12. It also has absolutely no artificial colours or flavours, lactose, Cholesterol, or Dairy.”

The breakfast pilot program run from October-December and again from February-June and will be monitored by BbP, both in terms of improved well-being and observations such as improved attentiveness in class, focus and behaviour.

BbP’s Founder and Vice-Chair, Anne-Sophie Hermann said: “We are grateful for the support from AEC, Market 2000 and Sanitarium to assist us with further improving our Nutrition Education Program. With this pilot program we will be closely monitoring what impact a healthy breakfast can have on the children’s cognitive development and well-being. We are looking forward to be working with our partners and parents to create awareness about the importance of providing children with the right foods for their growing bodies and minds.”

BbP’s Nutrition Education Program resources and awareness sessions for parents have been developed specifically for PNG children and the PNG context.

Buk bilong Pikinini’s published Nutrition Education text books are available for purchase from Theodist and directly from Buk bilong Pikinini’s office and webshop: https://bukbilongpikinini.charity/