Greggs ‘Breakfast Club’ programme continues to grow thanks to local businesses

Newcastle bakery retailer Greggs, marked a major milestone for its Breakfast Club Programme launching its 250th club - with the scheme now ensuring more than 14,000 schoolchildren across the UK have a nutritious breakfast each day.

The scheme started in 1999 following a Greggs and Business in the Community (BITC) organised “seeing is believing” visit to a primary school breakfast club in a disadvantaged area of Newcastle.

Roger Whiteside, Chief Executive of Greggs, said: “From its humble beginnings as a single club supported by Greggs in the North East, to a national programme supported by 42 private partners, the Greggs Foundation’s Breakfast Club Programme is a shining example of how responsible businesses can make a difference to the local communities in which they operate.

Our commitment to this scheme is deep rooted and I would like to take this opportunity to both thank our existing partners and encourage prospective partners to get involved as we aim to expand to 300 clubs by the end of the year.“

In 2012, Greggs donated £250K to support our existing clubs and to open additional ones in areas of need. 48 of the existing clubs are in partnership with organisations such Beachcroft Solicitors, Confederation of British Industry, Middlesbrough Council, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community commented: “The Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club programme has gone from strength to strength since 1999. Its growth is a powerful example of the impact of bringing chief executives face to face with pressing issues in our communities. Business in the Community is proud to have inspired the development of such a worthwhile programme and I am honoured to be here to witness the launch of the 250th club today.”

By using volunteers made up of mainly school staff and parent volunteers; and securing funding from a range of partners, the Greggs Foundation ensures that breakfast clubs are set up and managed free of charge to ensure all children can attend.