The Nutrition Committee’s essential role in Breakfast Club of Canada programs 

For over 30 years, Breakfast Club of Canada has been working to ensure that every child can start the school day with a nutritious breakfast—a key factor for supporting focus, well-being and academic success. Central to this mission is a dedicated Nutrition Committee, made up of qualified dietitians who ensure that the various food offerings are balanced, appealing and based on the best available scientific data.  

Nutrition expertise is central to the Club’s mission 

The Nutrition Committee meets regularly to stay abreast of best practices in nutrition, analyze children’s needs and adapt dietary recommendations to the realities of the schools and communities served by the Club. 

Beyond developing guidelines, the committee ensures that they are specific, accessible and easy to implement on a daily basis. By developing nutrition tools, recipes, educational content, webinars and training, it actively supports programs coordinators and school teams in providing breakfasts that are both nutritious and appealing. 

Promoting lasting eating habits from childhood 

These resources go beyond just the food offering: they help spark children’s curiosity, guide them in discovering new foods and encourage balanced eating habits from an early age. 

This rigorous and collaborative approach ensures that the menus offered are balanced, varied and suitable for children, while adhering to best nutrition and health practices. 

Diverse expertise serving school food programs 

Each member of the Nutrition Committee provides complementary nutrition expertise. The diversity of profiles enriches the committee’s discussions and strengthens its role as a reference for schools. 

Through this collaboration, the committee actively contributes to the continuous improvement of breakfast programs and supports teams in implementing real-world, tailored solutions. 

Spotlight on the professionals shaping the Club’s nutrition approach 

Kirstin Berrington 

• Programs Coordinator, based in British Columbia 

• Bachelor of science in human nutrition, University of Manitoba 

• Member of the Nutrition Committee since January 2023 

“I have a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutritional Sciences and work in school food programs supporting healthy food environments across Canada. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong interest in global health and international nutrition, which led me to conduct research in India on the diabetes epidemic for my thesis. That experience really shaped how I see health today and deepened my understanding of the broader systems that influence nutrition. I have worked with several non-profit organizations delivering nutrition education and supporting community food initiatives, and I am passionate about creating inclusive, student-centred food programs that help children feel nourished and ready to learn.” 

Lauriane Chamberland 

• Programs Coordinator, based in Quebec 

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Université de Montréal, member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec 

• Member of the Nutrition Committee since August 2023 

“As a member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec, I explore the world of food with a special interest in public health, food insecurity and international nutrition. I am especially interested in the role that school meals play in promoting healthy eating habits from an early age. My academic journey led me to complete my final internship at Breakfast Club of Canada. This defining experience strengthened my commitment to tackling public health challenges related to nutrition. Today, I’m proud to be part of the Club’s Nutrition Committee. It’s a valuable opportunity for me to contribute to meaningful initiatives that encourage nutrition and wellness within Canada’s school community.” 

Catherine D’Amours 

• Senior Nutrition Advisor, heads the Nutrition Committee, based in Quebec 

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Université de Montréal, graduate diploma in management, Université du Québec à Montréal, member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec 

• Member of the Nutrition Committee since January 2020 

“Feeding a child is not only about nourishing their future, but also about shaping their eating habits. This conviction guides me every day in my commitment to the Club. I have a systemic perspective on food, encompassing aspects such as the environment of meals, social interactions around food, culinary traditions and the origin of food. In supervising the Nutrition Committee, my goal is to create a space for sharing and learning among the various committee members, in order to establish clear nutrition guidelines based on scientific data and best practices in the field.” 

Virginie Marcoux 

• Impact and Collective Engagement Advisor, based in Quebec 

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Université de Montréal, member of the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec 

• Member of the Nutrition Committee since January 2021 

“My career path has led me to take an interest in nutrition as a driver of public health, with a view to reducing inequalities and creating environments conducive to good health. I’m especially interested in how school meals can support the development of eating habits from childhood onwards. On the Nutrition Committee, my role is to provide a strategic and scientific perspective on these issues, ensuring that our nutrition initiatives are part of a coherent, evidence-based vision and that they highlight the programs’ impact on children and their communities.” 

Collaboration and lasting impact 

The breakfast programs’ success depends on close collaboration between the Nutrition Committee, program coordinators and other Club departments. They pool their expertise to develop evidence-based solutions tailored to the realities of schools, generating a concrete and lasting impact on the lives of children and the communities they support. 

Thanks to this collective commitment, Breakfast Club of Canada continues to strengthen its leadership role in school nutrition, promoting not only access to a nutritious breakfast, but also nutrition education—an essential step toward adopting lifestyle habits that will stay with children throughout their lives.