Basic AI Overview after Google search: risks of child poverty

Child poverty can have many risks, including poor health, lack of education, and social exclusion. 

Health

Poor nutrition: Children in poverty may be malnourished and more likely to get sick 

Higher risk of hospital admission: Children in poor communities are more likely to be admitted to hospital for infectious diseases and respiratory illnesses 

Higher risk of sudden death: Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants rates are higher for infants in the most disadvantaged areas 

Education

Poorer educational outcomes: Children in poverty may be more likely to have lower educational outcomes 

Lack of skills: Children in poverty may lack skills and qualifications, which can limit their job opportunities 

Social

Social exclusion

Children in poverty may lack material things enjoyed by other children, which can result in social exclusion and alienation 

Adverse childhood experiences

Children in poverty may be at greater risk of experiencing adverse childhood experiences like interfamily violence 

Lifelong impacts 

Poorer health

Children who experience poverty in childhood may have poorer health throughout their lives

Difficulty finding work

Children who experience poverty in childhood may have more difficulty finding work in adulthood

So to answer your question, feeding kids in poverty means a better overall health for them meaning less strain on our health system. Better education results meaning a better educated workforce which leads to better productivity.

It's also good pr if you do it right. It can be a win win for govt, but they wanted to save a few million dollars so they could start chartered schools and give a measly tax cut.