Free breakfast club funding: What schools & providers should know

Breakfast is more than just the first meal of the day - it’s a crucial part of setting children up for success. Studies show that a healthy breakfast improves focus, behaviour, and academic performance, helping children start their school day with energy and readiness to learn.

For schools and childcare providers, offering a free breakfast can make a significant difference, especially for families facing financial hardship. Fortunately, there are multiple funding options available to help make this a reality.

The UK government’s Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme and the National School Breakfast Programme fall under government funding for breakfast clubs. Whilst both of these application deadlines have passed, they’re likely to open a new phase, and there are other funding avenues to explore.

In this post, we’ll break down key funding schemes to be aware of, discuss additional funding opportunities, and offer practical advice on how to run a successful and sustainable breakfast club that benefits all involved. Here’s what you need to know...

What is The Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme?

The Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme aims to provide 750 schools with early access to government funding to run free breakfast clubs in primary schools starting in April 2025.

Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme goals:

• Support schools and childcare providers in setting up or expanding breakfast clubs, offering extra resources for early adopters.
• Ensure primary school children start the day fed, improving attendance, behaviour, and academic performance.
• Tackle child poverty by breaking down barriers to opportunity through government funded means.

Early adopters’ role:

• Collaborate with the Department for Education to identify delivery challenges.
• Shape the national rollout and share best practices with schools nationwide.

When will the scheme start?

The scheme will begin in the summer term of 2025. The free breakfast clubs will be available from the first day of the summer term. Applications were being accepted through DfE, however, the application deadline has passed.

What if my school isn't part of the scheme yet?

This is the first phase of a national rollout, with schools testing different approaches before the programme expands. Schools are testing various approaches whilst the government collects information and learns from this. Hence, you may be eligible to get involved with the second phase when the programme rolls out more broadly long term.

So, stay updated by checking for announcements from the Department for Education or contacting them directly to confirm when the second phase will be open for applications.

What is the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP)?

The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is a government-funded initiative aimed at helping schools in England provide healthy breakfasts to children. Delivered by Family Action and funded by the Department for Education, it focuses on breaking down barriers and ensuring all children have access to a nutritious breakfast to start the day ready to learn.

What does the National School Breakfast Programme do?

• 75% Subsidy: Schools only pay 25% of the cost for breakfast food and delivery.
• Support & Advice: A dedicated team offers remote guidance to ensure schools run effective breakfast clubs.
• Online Ordering System: Schools can easily manage orders through an online portal.
• Networking & Resources: Schools can connect with others to share best practices.
• Parental Engagement: Schools can promote healthy eating and the importance of breakfast to parents.
• Eligible schools in disadvantaged areas can apply for funding and resources to support breakfast provision.

How long will the scheme run?

The NSBP is an ongoing programme designed to run until July 2025. Schools were able to apply through the expression of interest form on the official NSBP website, however the application deadline passed in December 2024.

Like the Early Adopter's Scheme, keep your eyes peeled as there could be a round 2!

Missed the deadline? Other funding opportunities for breakfast club funding

1. Greggs Breakfast Club Funding

Greggs Foundation offers funding to help schools establish or improve breakfast clubs. In fact, their first breakfast club ran in 1999! The Greggs Breakfast Club programme is aimed at improving the wellbeing and performance of children by providing them with a healthy breakfast.

• Funding & Support: Greggs Foundation provides grants to eligible schools, which can be used to fund the costs of setting up or maintaining a breakfast club. This includes funding for food and equipment.
• Eligibility: Schools in deprived areas are prioritised, with a focus on schools where at least 25% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.
• Application Process: Schools can apply for funding by submitting an application form through the Greggs Foundation website. They typically review applications twice a year, so schools should keep an eye on the deadlines. The Greggs form is currently closed but will open again, so check regularly!

For more information, including application deadlines, visit the Greggs Foundation website.

2. Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Funding Programme

Kellogg’s has partnered with a number of UK charities to support schools in offering free breakfasts to children. Their Breakfast Club Programme helps schools set up breakfast clubs, providing not only food but also resources to run them efficiently.

• Funding & Support: Through this programme, schools can receive food donations and breakfast club resources, including guidance on how to engage children and families.
• Eligibility: Schools that have 40% or more of pupils eligible for free school meals or those with significant levels of disadvantage are eligible for the programme.
• Application Process: Schools can apply directly through the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Programme website. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, however, the most recent phase closed in February 2025. Keep your eyes peeled through the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Network to be in the know about the next phase!

Visit the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club website for more information and to apply..

3. Magic Breakfast Club Funding

Magic Breakfast is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing healthy breakfast food to schools across the UK. They offer schools a range of breakfast options, including nutritious foods like bagels, cereal, and porridge. Magic Breakfast aims to support schools in providing a healthy start to the day, especially for disadvantaged children.

• Funding & Support: Magic Breakfast provides free food deliveries to schools, with funding to support breakfast provision. The charity also offers support in setting up breakfast clubs and guidance on how to run them effectively.
• Eligibility: Schools in England and Scotland with high levels of deprivation (e.g., those with more than 35% of students eligible for free school meals) can apply to the programme.
• Application Process: Schools can apply through the Magic Breakfast website. Once approved, they will receive food deliveries and ongoing support for running their breakfast clubs.

https://www.magicbreakfast.com/schools-hub/what-can-you-expect/how-it-works/.

For more details on how to apply visit Magic Breafast’s ‘how to get on board’ page.

4. Grants that can be used for breakfast clubs funding for schools

Some councils offer funding for wraparound childcare, including funding for breakfast clubs in schools. Contact your local authority’s education department to explore available options and funding programmes e.g. Bexley, Warwickshire, North Yorkshire or Norfolk.

Fareshare is a charity that redistributes surplus food to organisations that turn it into meals for those in need. They have previously run free breakfast programmes and currently offer cost of living support through various initiatives, including the BBC Children in Need and Asda U18 Better Starts Grants. You can view their full list of resources here.

The Tesco Stronger Starts Programme supports schools, charities, and community organisations with grants of up to £1,500. This initiative focuses on projects that promote food security, health, and well-being for children and young people.

Tesco offers grants for initiatives like breakfast clubs, holiday clubs, and youth sports teams. Priority is given to projects that focus on children’s food security and health.

The programme is open to schools, charities, local authorities, and community organisations. Projects must focus on improving the lives of children, especially those addressing food security, health, and education.

Applications are accepted year-round, but there are deadlines tied to in-store customer voting rounds. For example, the April-June 2025 voting round has a deadline of 16th January 2025. Once your project is accepted, it will be put to a public vote in Tesco stores where customers can vote using blue tokens.

For more details and to apply, visit the Tesco Stronger Starts page for more info.

Note: Previously, there was a Tesco Breakfast Club Funding Programme dedicated to breakfasts specifically, but this has been absorbed into the Stronger Starts initiative.

• Grants Online (This has an excellent search tool!)
• Grants4schools
• Grants Online Local

These are broader resources and can be used to find funding for breakfast clubs in secondary schools as well as primary schools and more.

FAQs

What is National School Breakfast Week?

National School Breakfast Week is an annual event in the UK, promoting the importance of a nutritional breakfast for children before the school day starts. It highlights how a healthy breakfast can improve children’s focus, behaviour, and academic performance, ensuring they begin their day ready to learn.

More information is available on the NSBW main page. If you need anything from toolkits to activity club guides, take your pick on NSBW resources page. News on subjects like education and funding can be found on IB Times and Ed Central.

How do I find free breakfast clubs at primary schools?

As a parent, to find free breakfast clubs in primary schools in England, contact your child’s school directly. Many schools participate in government-funded initiatives like the National School Breakfast Programme, which offers free or subsidised breakfast options for eligible students.

Interested in childcare support? Visit Childcare Choices for more information.

Are there free breakfast clubs in every primary school?

While not every primary school offers free breakfast clubs, many participate in national initiatives like the National School Breakfast Programme or local council schemes, providing free or subsidised breakfast clubs to schools with high levels of need.

Passionate about change? Check out VCL.

What is the best way to run a successful breakfast club?

To run an effective breakfast club, keep it simple with nutritious options like cereal, fruit, and toast. Ensure your breakfast club provision is a welcoming environment and use the time for quiet activities or socialising.

Consider MagicBooking, the best primary school management and club management system; save on admin time, and engage parents by highlighting the benefits of attending. Book a demo; in 30 minutes of your time, we can give you a full tour of the system!