Charity school lunches raise money to feed Tanzania children

HELPING less fortunate kids at lunchtime makes chef-cooked meals enjoyed by eastern suburbs primary students so much tastier.

From left, Wulan Yuliantara, Michayla Penn, Tom Howatson, Lenny Miller and Bailey Gosbell eating healthy lunches supplied by Barzura at Coogee Public School. Picture: Justin Lloyd

IT’S long way from the canteen cuisine of yesteryear, and helping less fortunate kids at the same time makes the chef-cooked lunches enjoyed by eastern suburbs primary students so much tastier.

Barzura Cafe Restaurant Bar Coogee began its unusual foray into tuckshop territory in 2012 when Coogee Public School overhauled its menu to include healthier options and needed help to satisfy demand.

Success brought expansion, and the eatery now delivers dishes such as nasi goreng and penne bolognese to Coogee on Fridays, and Malabar Public School and St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Chef Boon and staff from Barzura Restaurant at Coogee wiho is having a French Food Festival throughout May.

The popular Coogee eatery. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Barzura’s chefs serve 150 of the $5 lunches every week, and for every order, a child in Tanzania also gets a meal, with proceeds going to the Community Assist charity.

Since 2012, it has raised more than $57,000 for the Kids Feeding Kids program.

“It’s such a great social issue for the school ... Barzura forgo profits and are supporting us and in return we are supporting children overseas,” Coogee Public School principal Matt Townsend said.

Originally published as Charity school lunches raise money to feed Tanzania children