A sandwich might be an easy lunch decision for many Australians, but for some schoolchildren, having one to eat during the day is far from guaranteed.
That’s the issue Australian food chain Soul Origin is helping tackle, extending its partnership with children’s charity Eat Up to fund a total of 136,000 sandwiches for students experiencing food insecurity.
The partnership has already helped fund 68,000 sandwiches over the past year, with Soul Origin now committing to another 68,000 to help get more lunches into the hands of children who need them.
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And while your usual panini or salad order might be a lunchtime staple, the brand is using its nationwide footprint to draw attention to a much bigger conversation about food security in Australian schools.
According to Soul Origin, an estimated one in three students in the schools supported by Eat Up relies on a free lunch to get through the day.
For children going to class hungry, the impact can stretch well beyond a rumbling stomach, affecting their ability to concentrate, participate and make the most of their education.
Soul Origin founder Hao Quach said the partnership was a natural extension of the brand’s commitment to food and nourishment.
“Food is the foundation,” Quach said. “It shapes how we feel, how we learn, and how we connect with the world around us.”
With more than 175 stores across Australia and New Zealand, Soul Origin has built its business around freshly prepared salads, paninis and coffee. Its work with Eat Up takes that food-focused approach beyond its customers, supporting children who might otherwise miss out on lunch.
Eat Up, which has been operating since 2013, has delivered more than six million lunches to vulnerable children across Australia. The organisation prepares and delivers more than 40,000 lunches to schools each week, working to make sure students have access to food during the school day.
The extension also marks a significant milestone for the charity, with Eat Up founder Lyndon Galea welcoming the continued support.
“We value the mission and commitment the Soul Origin team have towards helping provide fresh, nutritious and delicious food for schools across Australia,” Galea said.
“This extended partnership means we can reach even more children who need us most.”
How Soul Origin customers can get involved
The next chapter of the partnership arrives in time for Sandwich Day on Tuesday, November 3, with Soul Origin using the occasion to highlight the importance of access to school lunches.
Throughout November, sandwich bags at Soul Origin stores nationwide will feature special Eat Up branding, giving customers a visible reminder of the initiative when they pick up their lunch.
It is a small detail, but one that brings the partnership into the everyday routine of ordering a sandwich or grabbing a takeaway meal.
Customers can look out for the branded bags in-store and learn more about the partnership through Soul Origin’s website.
The latest commitment brings Soul Origin’s total sandwich funding pledge to 136,000, representing thousands of school lunch moments that can help children get through their day.
For families facing food insecurity, that support can make a meaningful difference. And for the rest of us, it is a reminder that something as ordinary as lunch can carry a much bigger significance.
Find out more about the partnership or locate your nearest store at Soul Origin.
