We were delighted to welcome the SLR team to one of our Welby Breakfast events at Arkleston Primary School in Renfrew. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to see firsthand how the Healthy Living Programme, working with dedicated local retailers, makes a clear difference in communities.
On June 6th, the SLR team joined us to observe the pupils at Arkleston Primary enjoying their nutritious breakfast, provided in partnership with SPAR Renfrew and the Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF).
Angie Gibson, Store Manager at SPAR Renfrew, showed immense dedication. She arrived early to prepare a fresh selection of fruit tasters, including pineapple, apple, pear, melon, blueberry, and orange, ensuring the children had a vibrant and healthy start.
Our HLP Director, Kathryn Neil, engaged the children with a discussion on the importance of a healthy breakfast, emphasising the positive impact it has on their day. Our team members, Yvonne Macdonald and Gillian Edgar, expertly managed the Weetabix, banana, and toast stations, ensuring everything ran smoothly. We were also grateful for the support from Saleem and Waseem Sadiq from SPAR Renfrew, who helped serve the samples.
Each year group participated in short, engaging sessions, learning about healthy eating before enjoying their breakfast. The aroma of toast and the sight of fresh fruit were popular! We saw many children try new foods; seven-year-old Jack tried blueberries for the first time, and nine-year-old Isla creatively combined her fruit with Weetabix. It was particularly rewarding to hear nine-year-old Abbie express that she would ask for Weetabix instead of waffles for breakfast after trying it with us.
Miss Orr, a P3 teacher, shared her appreciation, highlighting the valuable opportunity for the children to have a healthy breakfast, especially before their sports day. She also noted the potential for these events to foster long-term positive attitudes towards healthy eating.
Saleem Sadiq, owner of SPAR Renfrew, has a strong commitment to community involvement. He generously provided extra water bottles for the school's sports day and underscored his belief that supporting the community and promoting healthier habits is vital. As he put it, "Doing events like this gives us a profile that we’re part of the community."
The day at Arkleston Primary perfectly showcased the collaborative spirit behind the HLP's work, which has enabled us to serve over 46,050 breakfasts to date. With over 2,362 retailers now collaborating with us, including 67% in areas of deprivation, this event, attended by SLR, truly demonstrated how Scottish local retailers are instrumental in building healthier communities across the nation.
Read more about the welby breakfast on the SLR website here.
