Good news has a way of travelling fast, especially when it comes with a generous act of kindness.

The Woolworths Food Value Delivery Team recently celebrated receiving the CEO Difference Award, recognising the positive impact they have made within their organisation. Rather than simply enjoying the moment, the team decided to use their prize to help make a difference somewhere else.

They donated the R29,200 prize money to the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), helping to provide nutritious meals for children across the Western Cape. It is a thoughtful gesture that shows how one act of generosity can have a ripple effect, reaching far beyond the people who made it.

Choosing to give back

Receiving an award is always something to celebrate. For the Woolworths Food Value Delivery Team, it was also an opportunity to ask an important question: How can we use this to help others?

Their answer was simple. They chose to donate the entire prize to PSFA, an organisation that has been supporting learners through school feeding programmes since 1958.

It is a reminder that success means even more when it can be shared.

A donation that goes much further than the numbers

At first glance, R29,200 is simply a figure. In reality, it represents something far more meaningful. According to PSFA, this generous donation will provide a full class of 30 learners with nutritious meals for an entire school year.

That means children arriving at school knowing there will be food waiting for them. It means learners have the chance to focus on their lessons instead of worrying about an empty stomach. It means teachers are able to teach children who are better prepared for the day ahead.

The impact of one donation reaches far beyond the classroom.

Why school feeding matters

Most of us know how difficult it is to concentrate when we’re hungry. Now imagine trying to get through a full day at school feeling that way.

For many children, a nutritious meal at school is an important part of their day. While every learner’s circumstances are different, having access to regular meals can help create a better environment for learning. This is the work PSFA carries out every day across the Western Cape.

The organisation provides nutritional support to learners attending:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special needs schools
• Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs)
• Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres (OVCs)
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges

Every partnership and every donation helps make that work possible.

When businesses become part of the solution

Stories like this show that creating positive change is not only the responsibility of charities or non-profit organisations. Businesses and their employees also have an important role to play.

Whether it is through fundraising, volunteering, or donations, corporate partnerships can make a real difference to organisations working in communities every day.

The Woolworths Food Value Delivery Team’s decision is a wonderful example of this. By donating their award, they have transformed a workplace achievement into something that will continue making an impact long after the celebration has ended.

More than a donation

What stands out most about this story is not just the amount that was donated. It is the thinking behind it. The team chose to celebrate their success by creating an opportunity for someone else. That choice reflects the kind of community spirit that helps organisations like PSFA continue their work year after year.

Every meal served through the school feeding programme represents more than food. It represents care, compassion, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn without hunger standing in the way.

A heartfelt thank you

PSFA has expressed its sincere gratitude to the Woolworths Food Value Delivery Team for this generous contribution and the difference it will make to learners across the Western Cape.

Support like this allows the organisation to continue reaching children who depend on its school feeding programme while building stronger partnerships with businesses that share the same commitment to creating positive change.

Small actions can have a big impact

One of the most encouraging things about this story is that it reminds us how meaningful small decisions can be. A team receives an award. They choose to donate the prize. Children receive nutritious meals throughout the school year.

Sometimes making a difference really is that simple. It is proof that generosity does not always have to begin with grand gestures. Often, it starts with people deciding to use what they have to help others.

Looking to the future

PSFA’s work has always been built on partnership. Schools, volunteers, donors, businesses, and community members all play a part in helping ensure that children have access to the nutrition they need to learn and grow.

The generosity shown by the Woolworths Food Value Delivery Team is another example of what can be achieved when people choose to work together for a common purpose.

Their donation will do far more than provide meals. It will help create opportunities for children to focus on their education, participate in the classroom, and make the most of every school day.

PSFA extends its heartfelt thanks to the team for their generosity and for showing that giving back is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate success. Together, we can continue building a future where no child has to face the school day hungry.

Visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/the-need/

Keep up to date with us on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/PSFA.org/

Great organisations never stop learning.

For non-profit organisations, making a lasting difference is about more than delivering programmes or raising funds. It also means investing in the people who lead those programmes, building strong partnerships, and finding better ways to serve the communities that rely on them.

That is why opportunities to connect with other leaders in the social impact sector are so valuable.

Recently, Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) Director, Petrina Pakoe, attended the Allan Gray Philanthropy Initiative (AGPI) Grantee Directors Workshop in Cape Town. The two-day workshop brought together leaders from organisations across South Africa to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore ways to strengthen their impact.

Learning from others who share the same purpose

Every non-profit organisation has its own mission, but many face similar challenges.

Whether it is finding sustainable funding, supporting staff, responding to changing community needs, or planning for the future, there is always something to learn from people walking a similar path.

The AGPI Grantee Directors Workshop created exactly that kind of space. Held at Workshop 17 at the V&A Waterfront, the event welcomed leaders from 29 organisations working in areas such as nutrition, Early Childhood Development, child and family welfare, after-school education, sports development, and digital literacy. Although each organisation focuses on different communities, everyone came together with the same goal: creating meaningful, lasting change.

More than financial support

PSFA is grateful to be one of the organisations supported by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies through its Philanthropy Initiative with Employees of Allan Gray (RF) NPC.

What makes initiatives like this especially valuable is that they go beyond funding projects. They also invest in the people behind the work.

By creating opportunities for leaders to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another, the initiative helps strengthen organisations over the long term. When leaders grow, the organisations they lead become stronger too.

Conversations that make a difference

The workshop focused on topics that matter to organisations working in the social sector every day.

These included:

• Organisational leadership
• Good governance and stewardship
• Director wellbeing
• Building stronger peer networks
• Creating sustainable organisations

There was also plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Participants shared their own experiences, spoke openly about the challenges they face, and exchanged practical ideas that have worked within their organisations. Sometimes the most valuable lessons come from hearing how someone else approached a problem that feels familiar.

Those conversations often spark new ways of thinking that participants can take back to their own organisations.

Bringing fresh ideas back to PSFA

For PSFA, attending workshops like this is part of an ongoing commitment to learning and continuous improvement.

The organisation has been serving communities in the Western Cape since 1958, providing nutritious meals that help learners arrive at school ready to learn. While that mission remains unchanged, there is always room to strengthen how the organisation works, build new partnerships, and learn from others in the sector.

Reflecting on the experience, PSFA Director Petrina Pakoe said:

“We are deeply grateful to Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies for creating opportunities such as this for its grantee partners. The workshop was an invaluable opportunity to connect with fellow leaders who are equally committed to creating positive change in their communities. It provided practical tools, fresh perspectives, and meaningful relationships that will help strengthen PSFA’s work and impact.”

It is a reminder that leadership is not only about guiding an organisation, but also about remaining open to learning and growing.

Why collaboration matters

No organisation can solve complex social challenges on its own. Supporting children, strengthening communities, and tackling issues such as hunger all require people and organisations working together.

That is why collaboration is so important. When leaders share knowledge instead of working in isolation, everyone benefits. New partnerships are formed, practical ideas are exchanged and organisations become better equipped to respond to the needs of the communities they serve.

For PSFA, collaboration has always been central to its work. The organisation works closely with schools, donors, volunteers, corporate partners and local communities to help ensure learners across the Western Cape receive nutritious meals during the school day.

Leadership workshops like this strengthen those connections even further.

Looking ahead

PSFA’s participation in the Allan Gray Philanthropy Initiative Grantee Directors Workshop reflects its commitment to learning, collaboration and responsible leadership.

Every new idea, every conversation and every relationship built through opportunities like this helps strengthen the organisation for the future.

Ultimately, that benefits the children and communities PSFA serves. When leaders continue to learn, organisations continue to improve. And when organisations become stronger, they are better equipped to create lasting impact where it matters most.

For PSFA, that means staying focused on its mission of reducing short-term hunger, supporting education and helping more learners across the Western Cape thrive, one nutritious meal at a time.

Visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/who-we-are/

Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/peninsula_school_feeding_assoc/

There is something powerful about people coming together for a common purpose. One person can make a difference, but when thousands of people walk side by side, that difference becomes something truly meaningful.

That is exactly what Blisters for Bread, in association with Lucky Star, is all about.

Every year, people from across the Western Cape put on their walking shoes and take part in this much-loved fundraising event, knowing that every step helps support the work of the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA). It is not about who finishes first or how fast you can walk. It is about helping children arrive at school with the chance to learn, grow, and dream without the distraction of an empty stomach.

More than just a walk

For many, Blisters for Bread has become an annual tradition. Friends walk together, families make a morning of it, colleagues enter as teams, and first-time participants quickly understand why so many people return year after year.

There is a real sense of community throughout the event. Everyone is there for the same reason: to help make a difference in the lives of children across the Western Cape.

While participants enjoy the experience, they are also helping PSFA continue its important work of providing nutritious meals to learners attending:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special needs schools
• Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs)
• Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres (OVCs)
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETs)

Every registration is another step towards supporting school feeding programmes where they are needed most.

Why school meals matter

It is easy to underestimate just how much hunger can affect a child’s school day. Trying to concentrate in class is difficult when you have not eaten. It can become harder to focus, participate in lessons, and stay engaged throughout the day. While every learner’s situation is different, having access to a nutritious meal can make a meaningful difference.

This is where PSFA plays such an important role.

Since 1958, the organisation has worked alongside schools and communities across the Western Cape to help reduce short-term hunger among learners. Their goal is simple but incredibly important: to help create better opportunities for children through school feeding.

It is work that continues every school day, long after the Blisters for Bread finish line has been packed away.

Small steps create lasting change

One of the most inspiring things about Blisters for Bread is that something as simple as going for a walk can have a positive impact. You do not need to be an athlete. You do not need expensive equipment. You simply need the willingness to show up and be part of something bigger than yourself.

When thousands of people do exactly that, those individual steps become a powerful show of community support. It is a reminder that meaningful change often starts with ordinary people choosing to get involved.

A day filled with purpose

If you have never taken part before, expect more than just a walking event.

There is a welcoming atmosphere from the moment participants arrive. Families walk together, colleagues encourage one another, volunteers keep everything running smoothly, and supporters line the route with smiles and cheers.

There is plenty of conversation, laughter, and encouragement along the way, but underneath it all is a shared understanding of why everyone is there.

Every person taking part is helping support a future where more children have access to the meals they need during the school day.

Businesses making a difference

Blisters for Bread is also an opportunity for businesses to give back in a meaningful way.

Many companies enter teams each year, using the event as an opportunity to support an important local cause while bringing colleagues together outside the workplace.

Taking part allows businesses to:

• Support children in communities across the Western Cape.
• Encourage teamwork and employee well-being.
• Demonstrate a commitment to giving back.
• Raise awareness of child hunger and the importance of school feeding.

It is a simple way to make a positive contribution while joining thousands of others working towards the same goal.

Every person can help

Whether you walk every year or are thinking about joining for the first time, your support matters.

You can get involved by:

• Registering for the event.
• Walking with family, friends, or colleagues.
• Encouraging others to take part.
• Sharing the event with your community.
• Supporting PSFA’s work throughout the year.

Every participant helps grow the impact of the event and strengthens the support behind school feeding programmes across the province.

Walking towards hope

Blisters for Bread is about far more than covering a few kilometres. It is about people choosing to stand together for children they may never meet. It is about recognising that every learner deserves the opportunity to focus on their education without the added challenge of hunger.

Year after year, the event continues to show what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. If you are looking for a way to make a genuine difference while enjoying a memorable day out, Blisters for Bread, in association with Lucky Star, is the perfect opportunity.

Every step counts. Every walker matters. Together, we can help PSFA continue its work of supporting learners across the Western Cape and keep moving towards a future where no child has to face the school day hungry.

Visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/

Follow our Social Media pages: https://www.instagram.com/peninsula_school_feeding_assoc/

A child cannot focus on a maths problem when they’re thinking about food. It sounds simple, but it is a reality faced by many learners across South Africa every day. While classrooms are places of learning and opportunity, hunger has a way of demanding attention. When a child arrives at school on an empty stomach, concentrating on lessons often becomes secondary to meeting a basic human need.

This is why school feeding programmes are so important. They do much more than provide meals. They help create an environment where children can learn, participate, and make the most of their education.

In many communities, a school meal is not just a helpful addition to a learner’s day; it is an essential source of nutrition that can have a lasting impact on their wellbeing and future.

Hunger and Learning Cannot Be Separated

Education and nutrition go hand in hand. We often talk about improving educational outcomes through better resources, skilled teachers, and access to technology. While these are all important, none of them can replace something as fundamental as food.

Think about your own day. If you’ve ever skipped breakfast or worked through lunch, you’ll know how difficult it can be to concentrate. You may feel tired, distracted, irritable, or unable to focus properly. Now imagine that happening regularly during your most important years of learning and development.

For children, the effects of hunger can be even more significant. A hungry learner may struggle to pay attention in class, absorb new information, or stay engaged throughout the school day. The desire to learn may be there, but hunger can make it much harder to succeed.

A Meal Can Change the School Day

Something as simple as a nutritious meal can have a remarkable impact.  When learners have eaten, they are often better able to:

• Focus during lessons
• Participate in classroom discussions
• Complete assignments
• Retain information
• Stay energised throughout the day

Teachers frequently notice the difference. Learners who have access to food are often more alert and engaged, making it easier for them to take part in the learning process. A meal may only take a few minutes to eat, but the benefits can last for the entire school day.

School Attendance Improves When Hunger Is Addressed

Getting children into the classroom is the first step towards learning. For many families facing financial hardship, ensuring there is enough food on the table every day can be challenging. School feeding programmes provide some relief by offering learners access to a reliable meal during the school day.

This can encourage regular attendance and help reduce the disruptions that often come with food insecurity. When children attend school consistently, they have a better chance of keeping up with lessons, building confidence, and progressing academically. Every day spent in the classroom matters.

The Benefits Go Beyond Academics

While educational outcomes are important, the value of school feeding programmes extends far beyond marks and test results. Food plays a vital role in a child’s overall wellbeing. When learners receive regular nutritious meals, they are often better equipped to participate in all aspects of school life.

Hunger can affect a child’s mood, energy levels, and emotional wellbeing. Some learners become withdrawn, while others may struggle with frustration or anxiety. Access to nutritious food can help create a more positive learning environment where children feel supported, included, and ready to engage with their peers and teachers.

In many ways, feeding a child is also about restoring dignity. It sends a powerful message that their wellbeing matters.

Why School Feeding Programmes Matter to Communities

The impact of a school feeding programme does not end when the school bell rings. When children are healthier, more focused, and attending school regularly, the benefits ripple outward into families and communities. School feeding programmes help to:

1. Support learners’ ability to learn and achieve.
2. Promote healthier school environments.
3. Encourage regular attendance.
4. Reduce some of the pressures associated with food insecurity.
5. Strengthen communities by investing in future generations.

These programmes are not simply a response to hunger. They are part of building stronger foundations for children and the communities they belong to.

Small Actions, Lasting Impact

One of the most remarkable things about school feeding programmes is how something relatively simple can make such a meaningful difference. A meal may seem ordinary to many of us, but for a child experiencing hunger, it can be the reason they are able to concentrate in class, participate in activities, and stay motivated throughout the day.

Over weeks, months, and years, those moments add up. A learner who can focus in class today is more likely to build the skills and confidence needed for tomorrow.

Supporting Learners Across the Western Cape

For more than 65 years, the Peninsula School Feeding Association has been helping to address child hunger among learners in the Western Cape.

Established in 1958, PSFA was founded on the belief that children should not have to learn while hungry. Today, that mission remains as relevant as ever.

The organisation provides nutritious meals to learners attending:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special needs schools
• Early Childhood Development Centres
• Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges

By helping reduce short-term hunger, PSFA supports learners’ ability to focus, learn, and attend school more consistently.

Every Meal Represents Opportunity

When we think about education, we often think about classrooms, books, and teachers. Yet behind every successful learner is something even more fundamental. The ability to learn starts with having basic needs met. School feeding programmes ensure that hunger does not stand in the way of a child’s education. They provide nourishment, but they also provide opportunity.

At PSFA, every meal served represents another learner who can focus on the lesson instead of their empty stomach. It represents another chance for a child to engage with their education and work towards a brighter future.

Because when children have access to nutritious food, they are given something incredibly valuable. The opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/

Follow our social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/PSFA.org/

Imagine trying to focus on a lesson when all you can think about is your next meal.

For many children across South Africa, this is not a rare occurrence. It is their reality. While classrooms are designed to be places of learning and opportunity, hunger can make even the simplest task feel impossible. A hungry child is not just dealing with an empty stomach; they are trying to learn while their body and mind are telling them they need food.

The connection between nutrition and education is well established. Children need adequate nourishment to concentrate, participate in class, and absorb new information. Without it, learning becomes significantly more challenging.

At the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), we see this connection every day. Through school feeding programmes across the Western Cape, we help ensure that learners have access to the nutritious meals they need to support both their wellbeing and their education.

Hunger Doesn’t Stay at Home

When a child arrives at school hungry, the effects do not disappear once the school bell rings. Instead, hunger follows them into the classroom. It can affect their energy levels, their mood, and their ability to focus on what is being taught. Teachers often notice that hungry learners appear distracted, tired, or disengaged. Some struggle to concentrate for long periods, while others may become restless or withdrawn.

It is not because they do not want to learn. It is because their bodies are focused on meeting a basic need. Learning requires concentration, memory, and mental energy. When a child has not eaten properly, those resources become harder to access.

Why Nutrition Matters for Learning

The brain needs fuel to function effectively. Just like a car cannot run without fuel, a child cannot learn at their best without proper nutrition.

A nutritious meal helps support important cognitive functions such as:

• Concentration and focus
• Memory retention
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making
• Classroom participation

When learners have access to regular, balanced meals, they are better equipped to engage with lessons and stay focused throughout the school day. Without that nutritional support, even the most enthusiastic learner may struggle to keep up.

The Link Between Hunger and Concentration

Most adults know how difficult it can be to focus when they skip breakfast or miss lunch. For children, the impact can be even greater.

A hungry learner may find it difficult to:

• Pay attention during lessons
• Follow instructions
• Complete assignments
• Participate in discussions
• Stay focused throughout the day

As hunger increases, concentration often decreases. Tasks that would normally be manageable can become overwhelming, and learners may fall behind despite their best efforts. Over time, these challenges can affect academic performance and confidence in the classroom.

Learning Requires More Than Just Showing Up

Being present at school is important, but meaningful learning requires active engagement. Children need to absorb information, understand concepts, and remember what they have learned. Hunger can interfere with each of these processes.

When learners are undernourished, they may find it harder to retain information and recall it later. This can affect performance in tests, assignments, and everyday classroom activities.

A child who struggles to remember what was taught yesterday may begin to lose confidence in their abilities. As that confidence decreases, participation often decreases too. This creates a cycle that can be difficult to break without proper support.

The Emotional Impact of Hunger

The effects of hunger are not limited to academics. Food insecurity can also affect a child’s emotional well-being. A hungry child may feel anxious, frustrated, embarrassed, or overwhelmed. These feelings can influence how they interact with teachers, classmates, and the learning environment as a whole.

Some learners become quiet and withdrawn. Others may become irritable or struggle to regulate their emotions. When children have access to regular meals, they are often better able to engage socially, participate confidently, and feel more comfortable in the classroom environment.

School Attendance Matters

Hunger can also influence whether a child attends school consistently. For many vulnerable learners, school feeding programmes provide a reliable source of nutrition. Knowing that a meal will be available during the school day can encourage regular attendance and help reduce absenteeism.

Consistent attendance is essential for educational success. Every day in the classroom provides opportunities to learn, develop skills, and build confidence.

When learners miss school because of hunger or the challenges associated with food insecurity, those opportunities are lost.

How School Feeding Programmes Make a Difference

School feeding programmes do far more than provide food. They help create an environment where learning can happen. When children receive nutritious meals, the benefits can often be seen throughout the school day.

These benefits include:

Improved Focus

Learners are better able to concentrate on lessons and classroom activities.

Better Participation

Children are more likely to engage with teachers and classmates when they are not distracted by hunger.

Greater Confidence

Success in the classroom often leads to improved self-esteem and motivation.

Increased Attendance

Reliable access to meals can help encourage learners to attend school regularly.

Enhanced Learning Outcomes

Well-nourished learners are better positioned to absorb information and reach their academic potential.

Supporting Learners Across the Western Cape

For more than 65 years, the Peninsula School Feeding Association has been helping address child hunger in schools across the Western Cape. Established in 1958, PSFA was founded on a simple but powerful belief: no child should have to try and learn while hungry.

Today, the organisation continues to provide nutritious meals to learners attending primary schools, secondary schools, special needs schools, Early Childhood Development Centres, Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges throughout the province.

Every meal served helps remove one of the barriers standing between a child and their education.

Every Meal Helps Build a Better Future

When we talk about education, we often focus on classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and technology. While these are all important, learning begins with something far more basic.

A child who is hungry cannot fully focus on their future. By addressing hunger, we help create the conditions children need to learn, participate, and thrive. A nutritious meal may seem simple, but for many learners it can mean the difference between merely attending school and truly engaging in their education.

At PSFA, every meal served is an investment in a child’s potential. It is a chance for a learner to focus on the lesson in front of them rather than the hunger they are experiencing.

Because when children are nourished, they are better equipped to learn. And when they can learn, they are better equipped to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/

Follow us on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/PSFA.org/

When we talk about the challenges facing education in South Africa, the conversation often centres around overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, infrastructure and unequal access to opportunity.

Those challenges matter. But there is one barrier that affects learning before a lesson even begins. Hunger.

A child who arrives at school hungry is not arriving ready to learn. They are arriving tired, distracted and focused on getting through the day rather than absorbing what is being taught.

Education has the power to change lives, but learning becomes incredibly difficult when basic needs are not being met. That is why school feeding programmes continue to play such an important role across South Africa, helping learners show up, focus and make the most of every school day.

Why Hunger and Education Are Closely Linked

Education and nutrition cannot be separated. Children need more than books and classrooms to succeed. They need energy, concentration and the ability to engage throughout the school day.

When a learner experiences hunger, even for a short period, it can affect much more than physical well-being.

It may impact:

• Concentration and attention in class
• Memory and information retention
• Participation in activities and discussions
• Energy levels throughout the day
• Motivation to attend school consistently

Teachers often see these effects first-hand. A learner who normally participates may become quiet. Another may seem restless or unable to complete tasks. Some children struggle to remain alert during lessons, not because they are unwilling to learn, but because hunger becomes impossible to ignore.

Over time, these small daily struggles begin to influence educational outcomes.

The Classroom Impact of Hunger

Hunger is not always obvious. It does not always look like visible hardship or empty lunchboxes. Often, it shows up in quieter ways; It is the learner who cannot stay focused during reading time. The student who misses school more often. The child whose marks slowly begin to decline.The learner who starts disengaging from classroom activities. These moments may seem small in isolation, but together they create barriers that become increasingly difficult to overcome. When attendance drops, learning gaps appear. When concentration suffers, confidence often follows. When confidence falls, engagement with education becomes harder to maintain. This is why addressing hunger should not sit outside conversations about education. It is part of the solution.

School Feeding Is About More Than Food

School feeding programmes are sometimes viewed as simply providing meals. In reality, their impact reaches much further. A meal at school creates the conditions that allow learning to happen.

For many learners, school feeding contributes to:

1. Better concentration in the classroom

Learners are better able to focus and engage during lessons.

2. Improved school attendance

Knowing that food is available at school can encourage more consistent attendance.

3. Greater classroom participation

Children who have energy are more likely to interact, ask questions and take part.

4. More consistent learning routines

Regular attendance and improved concentration support stronger learning habits.

5. Support for overall learner wellbeing

Nutrition contributes to creating a more positive and stable school experience.

For many families facing financial pressure, school feeding also offers practical support during difficult times. Importantly, it should not be viewed as charity alone. School feeding is an investment in education.

Supporting Learners in the Western Cape Since 1958

The Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) was established in 1958 after the national school feeding programme was discontinued.

Recognising the growing need, the Rotary Club of Paarden Eiland, now known as the Rotary Club of Table Bay, called a public meeting which led to the creation of the organisation.

Today, PSFA remains committed to addressing hunger among learners and students across the Western Cape.

The organisation supports:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Special needs schools
• Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs)
• Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres (OVCs)
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETs)

PSFA’s work is guided by three key aims:

• Reduce short-term hunger
• Enhance learners’ ability to learn through school feeding
• Increase school attendance

At its heart, the work is built on a simple understanding: children learn better when they are nourished. Programmes like these do more than provide meals. They create an environment where learners are better equipped to engage, participate and remain in school.

Why Addressing Hunger Means Investing in South Africa’s Future

South Africa’s education challenges are complex, and there is no single solution. But if we want to improve educational outcomes, hunger cannot be ignored. A child should not have to choose between focusing on a lesson and thinking about their next meal. Providing nutritional support does not solve every challenge facing education. It does not replace quality teaching. It does not remove inequality. But it does help create the conditions where learning becomes possible.

Every meal served creates an opportunity. An opportunity to concentrate. An opportunity to participate. An opportunity to stay in school. And ultimately, an opportunity to build a different future.

Learn More About Supporting School Feeding

For more than six decades, PSFA has continued working towards a future where hunger does not stand in the way of education.

To learn more about the organisation, support its work or find ways to get involved, visit: https://psfa.org.za/

Keep up to date with us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/peninsula_school_feeding_assoc/

In South Africa, millions of children rely on school meals for more than nutrition. For many learners, that meal is what helps them concentrate in class, stay energised through the day and continue attending school consistently.

That is why the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) plays such an important role in education across the country. It is one of South Africa’s largest and most established school feeding initiatives, reaching millions of learners every school day.

But while the programme has made a meaningful impact, it also raises an important question. What happens to the children who fall outside of its reach?

Understanding both the value of the NSNP and the remaining gaps helps explain why organisations such as the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) continue to play an important role in supporting learners across the Western Cape.

What Is the National School Nutrition Programme?

The National School Nutrition Programme is a government initiative managed through the Department of Basic Education. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to support learning by providing nutritious meals to learners during the school day.

The programme primarily targets learners attending public schools in Quintiles 1, 2 and 3, which represent the country’s poorest schools based on socio-economic indicators. Meals are also provided at qualifying special schools.

Today, the programme reaches more than 9 million learners across nearly 20,000 schools nationwide. The meals are designed to support children during the school day and are guided by South Africa’s Food-Based Dietary Guidelines. Schools are also encouraged to establish food gardens to supplement nutrition and strengthen food security within school communities.

The programme is widely recognised as an important educational intervention because it supports:

●      Improved concentration in class

●      Better learner attendance

●      Increased readiness for learning

●      Nutrition education and healthier habits

●      Greater support for vulnerable households

Why School Feeding Matters Beyond Hunger

School feeding is often discussed as though it only addresses food insecurity. In reality, it supports education too. Hungry children may find it harder to focus, retain information or engage in classroom activities. A meal during the school day can help create conditions that make learning more accessible.

That is why school feeding programmes are increasingly viewed as educational support systems, not simply feeding initiatives. Because education does not begin with textbooks, it begins by ensuring learners can learn.

So, Who Does the NSNP Leave Behind?

The NSNP reaches millions of learners and remains one of South Africa’s most significant social support programmes. But like any targeted intervention, it has defined eligibility criteria. Its focus is largely on qualifying public schools, particularly those in lower socio-economic quintiles.

That means there are still learners and educational settings that may require additional support beyond what the national programme provides.

This can include situations where:

●      Schools or centres fall outside NSNP eligibility requirements

●      Learners attend educational institutions with different funding structures

●      Additional nutritional support is needed alongside existing programmes

●      Communities experience increased pressure due to local socio-economic challenges

School hunger is not experienced in the same way across every community. Needs differ.

And this is where local organisations can play an important complementary role.

How PSFA Helps Bridge the Gap in the Western Cape

The Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) was established in 1958 after the government of the time discontinued the national school feeding programme.

Recognising the ongoing need for nutritional support, the Rotary Club of Paarden Eiland, now known as the Rotary Club of Table Bay, called a public meeting, which led to the organisation’s establishment.

More than six decades later, PSFA continues that work exclusively within the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

As a registered non-profit organisation, PSFA supports learners and students attending:

●      Primary schools

●      Secondary schools

●      Special needs schools

●      Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs)

●      Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Centres (OVCs)

●      Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVETs)

PSFA’s work remains focused on three key outcomes:

1.    Reducing short-term hunger

2.    Enhancing learners’ ability to learn through school feeding

3.    Increasing school attendance

The organisation’s role reflects an important reality.

National programmes are essential, but local support systems remain equally important in helping ensure children do not fall through the gaps.

Feeding Learners Is Part of Supporting Education

The National School Nutrition Programme has become one of South Africa’s most important educational support initiatives. Its reach is significant, and its impact continues to benefit millions of learners every year. But addressing hunger is not only about scale. It is also about responding to needs where they exist.

School feeding works best when national programmes, communities and organisations all contribute towards creating better conditions for learning. Because every child deserves the opportunity to arrive at school ready to learn.

And for many learners, that opportunity starts with something as simple and important as a meal.

To learn more about the Peninsula School Feeding Association, visit our website: https://psfa.org.za/

Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/peninsula_school_feeding_assoc/

The PSFA general committee, management and staff welcome Tanith Hamman to the team. Tanith joined PSFA as a full-time staff member today, June 1, 2023.

Tanith has had a long-standing relationship with the PSFA, which started in 2013, where she operated as our account manager on behalf of Value Logistics, one of our transport providers. She then joined us on-site at our new premises in Philippi in July 2016 to ensure the smooth running of Value Logistics’ fleet of 36 vehicles that delivered fruit and vegetables to the schools on our feeding programme and for the NSNP contract.

Tanith was born in Kwazulu Natal. She completed her schooling at Herschel Girls’ School in Cape Town. After leaving school, she trained in the travel and tourism industry and enjoyed a career in this field until 2010, when she decided to move into a career in warehousing and logistics.

A wife, a mother of two children and an avid reader, Tanith enjoys cooking and the theatre. In her spare Tanith looks forward to volunteering her assistance at various charitable organisations such as the Langa Community Development Forum and Stellenbosch Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

We are delighted to have Tanith on our team as a full time staff member and wish her a long and happy tenure at PSFA.

Can you believe a year has passed since the LottoStar (Pty) Ltd #FeedingOurFuture Radiothon took place on Kfm 94.5

On June 1, 2022, we at PSFA and, in particular, the schoolchildren on our feeding programme were blown away by the generosity of everyone and every organisation that donated.

Thanks to Lottostar, Kfm and everyone’s financial contribution, the radiothon raised an outstanding R20 million in just 12 hours. This success marked the largest amount of money raised in 12 hours for a radio station in South Africa’s history.

We are delighted to inform you that the R20 million we received has and is enabling PSFA to do the following:

– PSFA allocated R8.750 million of the donation to serve 5 833 760 nutritious meals, including breakfasts and lunches, to 15 350 learners affected by poverty at 92 schools.
– Due to the success of the radiothon, PSFA guarantees to serve 2 967 040 daily meals to 7 808 learners every year for the next three years.
– The donation will also enable PSFA to expand its early childhood development (ECD) footprint by including additional ECD centres on its feeding programme.

With your continued support, we can grow our ECD feeding programme and accommodate any new school applications to join our feeding programme. It is on this note that we appeal to you to please consider continuing your financial support by donating to PSFA via our website, www.psfa.org.za, in the following ways:

1. Becoming a monthly donor – a small amount each month can make a huge difference in the lives of these children
2. Feed a child for a month at the cost of R66.00
3. Feed a child for a year at the cost of R620.00
4. Feed a class of 30 children for a year at the cost of R18 600.00
5. Donate any amount

Your loyal support will make a real and lasting impact on the education and well-being of the children we feed. Together, we can help break the poverty cycle and give these children a chance to build a brighter future.

Thank you for your consideration and your compassion.

Kind regards

CHARLES GREY
FUNDRAISING MANAGER
#success #education #thankyou #future #development #fundraising #help #schools #southafrica

Today, Friday 5 May, 2023, the learners who attend Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School organised and participated in their Blisters for Bread walk along the Camps Bay promenade to raise funds for PSFA.

There were two walks, a 2,5km walk for the foundation phase learners and a 5km walk for the older children.

At the start of the walks, PSFA chairman Brian Benatar thanked the learners for their support and wished them well for the walk.

We are sincerely grateful to these amazing learners for this kind gesture and their parents, family and friends who donated to support each learner who walked. #grateful #school