Nourishing the North: Visiting Breakfast Programs in the Northwest Territories 

This fall, I had the opportunity to travel across the Northwest Territories to visit several incredible schools delivering breakfast programs in Northern communities. From Yellowknife to a fly-in community in the Tłı̨chǫ region, every stop revealed the same thing: a deep commitment to ensuring students start their day nourished, supported, and ready to learn. 

The air was clean and crisp everywhere I went—each morning began with frosty breath, bright skies, and the kind of stillness that only the North can offer. Despite the cold, everyone I met greeted me with warmth and a smile. There was an immediate sense of welcome, as if every school was opening not only its doors, but also its heart. 

A principal-chef’s mission to feed and support his students 

At a small school just outside of Yellowknife, I met a principal who is also a trained chef. With about 30 students, breakfast is served right in the classrooms—yogurt, eggs, fruit, and toast on the day I visited. The principal has upgraded the school kitchen and is exploring ways to bring more country foods into the menu, an especially meaningful step in a community without a local store. 

“For some of our kids,” he shared, “breakfast is where the day truly starts—it’s a chance to connect, eat well, and settle in before learning.” 

Teachers volunteering to transform students’ morning routine 

In a nearby community, teachers volunteer in pairs each morning to make breakfast for students, a practice that’s led to a noticeable increase in attendance. Watching the kids light up as the breakfast cart rolled through the halls—toast, eggs, and fruit on board—was one of those moments that stays with you. “Breakfast has changed the tone of our mornings,” the principal told me. “Kids come in happier, more focused, and ready to learn.” 

A community built on generosity and culture 

Further north, I travelled to a small fly-in community where I met a local cook in her first year on the job. Together, we served scrambled eggs and caribou sausage to about 15 students and helped prepare special treats for two birthday celebrations.  

She smiled as she stirred a pot of fresh caribou stew for lunch and said, “Cooking for the kids makes me proud. It’s not just food—it’s something I can give back to my community.” Despite high food costs and limited access to fresh ingredients, the warmth and generosity in that small kitchen were unforgettable. 

One cook’s daily care for 100 Yellowknife students 

Back in Yellowknife, one school serves around 100 students each day. The full-time cook runs an efficient and welcoming program with breakfast bins full of fruit, eggs, and granola bars. Helping prepare French toast and homemade butter reminded me just how much care and effort go into each meal, even in the busiest of schools. 

Breakfast with purpose 

Across the North, school breakfast programs are about far more than food—they’re about connection, equity, and belonging. Every meal shared is an act of care and community. As I left, I thought about something an Elder told me: her granddaughter isn’t much of a morning eater at home, but she’s always happy to eat breakfast once she gets to school.

That simple story captures what these programs do best—they nourish bodies, strengthen communities, and make sure every child starts the day with a full stomach, a warm welcome, and a smile.