Game’s CEO, Jan Potgieter, said that the discount chain had invested about R6.5-million since it instituted the project in April 2008. However, the celebration of the 100^th donation also had to acknowledge the incredible work of educators and volunteers who served up meals every day as well as the contribution of the Department of Education which oversees the National Schools Nutrition Programme. Amalunchbox kitchens are installed at schools that currently participate in this programme.

Potgieter said that, based on an estimated enrolment of 1 000 learners per school with 196 school feeding days per year , these 100 Amalunchbox kitchens will help serve approximately 20-million hot nutritious meals every school year.

Each Amalunchbox container kitchen is fitted with a four-plate gas burner, a double bowl sink, stainless steel counters, shelving, four 100 litre cooking pots, serving spoons and enough bright pink tumblers, plates and spoons for every child.

He pointed out that research by the World Food Programme has proved that the provision of a hot cooked meal to under nourished children at schools not only provides more sustained energy but has also proved better school attendance and increased classroom participation.

He added that it was not just a case of putting food on plates. Schools often lack the most basic resources to provide the nutritious, hygienically prepared meals that enable these children to remain healthy and concentrate on their lessons. “Our vision is to help provide at least one nutritious, hygienically prepared meal every day. Over the past two years, the Department of Education has focused not only on providing meals to more children but also on improving the quality of meals provided and has offered guidance on meal preparation, food safety and hygiene. We are playing our part by providing kitchens.”

The success of the Amalunchbox programme will see Game continuing with this much needed initiative well into future years.