Fonterra and Sanitarium celebrate school breakfast program

New Zealand rugby player, Richard Kahui, and children's TV host, Erin Simpson, joined Auckland's Panama Road School for a celebration breakfast.

The school was one of the founding KickStart Breakfast Clubs in the program which has since expanded to over 430 participating decile 1-4 schools across New Zealand.

"It's great to see the difference a good breakfast makes to all the things children like to achieve. Fonterra is very proud of our work with Sanitarium to encourage New Zealand's younger generation to acquire good eating habits at breakfast and enjoy the social and educational benefits of preparing and eating food together," Fonterra Director of External Relations, Kelvin Wickham.

He said the celebration had a special significance because it fell on World Milk Day.

"We're not only celebrating KickStart Breakfast's two millionth breakfast, it's also World Milk Day which is all about celebrating the goodness of milk - a near perfect food loaded with nine essential nutrients - and a great way to '˜kick start' your day."

He said the twice a week breakfast clubs operate on a sustainable community partnership model.

"With Fonterra and Sanitarium providing the milk and cereal, and local teachers, parents and the community providing the supervision and coaching, the model encourages the kids into healthy eating which benefits learning without undermining the responsibilities of families to provide a daily breakfast."