School food program provides wellbeing through nourishment
A new SecondBite food program at a Melbourne primary school is helping to nourish students, support wellbeing and improve focus in the classroom.
The Little Lunch food program trialed at Wantirna Primary School in November and December 2025 was such a success that it has become a year-long program in 2026.
With funding and support from The Unconditional Love Foundation, SecondBite makes weekly deliveries of nutritional snacks for the school to give out to students.
The SecondBite food deliveries include fresh fruit – such as bananas, apples, oranges and mandarins – muesli bars, yoghurt and milk drinks.
A “Sharing trolley” is filled with the food and students are able to choose a snack at the school’s breakfast club, during recess and lunch time, and at the Out of School Hours Club (OSHC).
Families are also able to choose food from the trolley to take home, supporting those families who are facing food insecurity.
Donated food improves student’s focus and sense of connection
Wantirna Primary School Principal Amanda Breeden-Walton said the new food program had been a great success and was very well received by students and their families.
“Not only has it supported students to stay energised and ready to learn, but it has also fostered a stronger sense of care, connection and wellbeing across our school.”
Wantirna Primary School Principal, Amanda Breeden-Walton
“Families have shared their appreciation, and students are thriving with this extra boost each day, showing just how powerful small acts of kindness can be in creating a positive, supportive school environment.”
Amanda said the students absolutely loved the food program and rushed to the trolley, then sat together to chat and eat – creating an increased sense of community.
She said the school’s teachers had also noticed a heightened level of focus among students in the classroom, greater enthusiasm and more “spring in the students’ step”.
The Unconditional Love Foundation CEO Jane Harris said they were delighted with the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the food program from Wantirna Primary School.
She said it had been a pleasure to partner with SecondBite on the trial program and they looked forward to the continued collaboration this year.
SecondBite Victorian State Manager Mathew Reiffel said the trial food program aimed to show the power of school-based food relief and he hoped the program could be rolled out to further schools in the future.