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135-G De Mortagne, Blvd Boucherville, QC, J4B 6G4
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Regional Office 411-470 Granville St Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V5
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Spotlight on Green Initiatives in Time for Earth Day!
At Sainte Agathe Academy, a K–11 school in the Laurentians region of Quebec, they like to do things a little differently. The environment has been a top priority for the school’s breakfast program since it was introduced in 2021.
Disposable supplies have never been part of the program, and funding was secured for a composter and compost containers for table scraps. And what is the compost used for? To fertilize the rooftop garden above the gymnasium, naturally! The Academy has opted for financial support from BCC, which means they purchase their own food products. They buy local whenever they can and make it a point to deal with nearby partners, such as the school’s caterers and Bourassa Alimentation, a wholesaler specializing in fresh produce and other foods sourced in Quebec. Plus, some of the eggshells, peels, rinds and more are set aside in reusable containers for one of the teachers to feed to her goats at home!
Something else that makes Sainte Agathe Academy stand out is the active involvement of students in numerous environmental initiatives. A dozen high school students who belong to the Green Club are in charge of ensuring that waste is managed as sustainably as possible, and gardening duties are carried out by 15 kindergarteners and 18 Secondary I students who are members of the Garden Club. The school’s garden grows beans, cherry and full-sized tomatoes, an assortment of herbs, strawberries and other things used in the breakfast program. Some of these plants are actually seeded in the classroom in cutout milk cartons before being transferred by students to the garden.
In addition to the students, there are several other staff members to thank for these wonderful environmental initiatives. The breakfast program coordinator, Chantal Paquin, would like to thank Nicole Joanette (assistant), Claire Langlois (volunteer), Mélanie Bow (volunteer), John Depitria (volunteer and former student), Barb MacAulay (volunteer), Craig Duguid (janitor), and Sandra and Joe Morselli (caterers) for all their help.
Cooking with Kids: Tips for Successful Involvement
Involving children in cooking can be a rewarding experience for everyone concerned. Not only can it help develop students’ culinary skills, but it can also foster resourcefulness and encourage healthy eating habits. Here are some tips and tricks to increase kids’ kitchen IQ!
Establish a clear routine: Before starting the activity, take the time to explain the process so that everyone knows what to expect.
Choose simple recipes: Start with basic recipes suitable for their age. Recipes involving a small number of straightforward steps and easy-to-handle ingredients are ideal.
Give them responsibilities: Assign each child a specific task according to their abilities. This could involve stirring ingredients, measuring quantities, portioning mixtures, kneading dough, etc.
Create a safe environment: Ensure that the kitchen is a kid-friendly place by eliminating potential hazards such as sharp knives and hot pans.
Encourage creativity: Get children to express themselves by allowing them to customize certain recipes. For example, they can choose their own toppings for oatmeal or add their favourite fruits to a smoothie.
Make it fun: Play background music, wear matching aprons and create a positive atmosphere to make the experience of cooking together enjoyable.
Teach them about food hygiene and safety: Take this opportunity to demonstrate the basic rules of food safety, such as washing hands before handling food, cleaning surfaces, storing different types of food properly and more.
Explore new foods: Encourage children to try different flavours and textures. Talk about new foods, where they come from and how they grow. Try new recipes that reflect diversity.
Highlight their efforts: Praise and acknowledge them for their work. This will make them want to continue participating in culinary activities.
Involve them in the planning process: Ask for their input on what they would like to cook and involve them in menu planning. Encourage them to share recipes from different cultures. All of this can make them more excited about helping out.
Be patient and supportive: Cooking with children can be a bit chaotic at times, but remember that it’s a learning experience. Let them go at their own pace, encourage their efforts and have fun together!
Make the experience last beyond the activity: Share recipe cards with parents so that children can make the same thing at home. Discuss the activity and recipes in the school newsletter. Send a collection of the recipes used home at the end of the year. The possibilities are endless!
Minty Fruit Salad
This is the perfect recipe to start cooking with youth. It is simple, colourful and delicious.
Yield: 16 ½ cup servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/228231/summer-fruit-salad-with-a-lemon-honey-and-mint-dressing/
Breakfast Club of Canada Welcomes the Government of Canada’s Investment in a National School Food Program
Toronto, Ontario, April 1, 2024 – Breakfast Club of Canada eagerly welcomes the historic announcement made by the Government of Canada today regarding an investment of $1 billion over five years for a National School Food Program. This significant advancement marks a turning point in the country’s commitment to the well-being of all children and will help make life more affordable for families across Canada while 1 in 3 children is at risk of going to school on an empty stomach.
Tommy Kulczyk, President and Chief Executive Officer at Breakfast Club of Canada, as well as Judith Barry, Co-Founder and Director of Government Relations were present alongside Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance, Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, during the official announcement event held in Toronto. Their participation in this event highlights the important role that the Club plays as a key school nutrition organization on a national scale.
Since its foundation in 1994, Breakfast Club of Canada has worked tirelessly to highlight the importance of a nutritious breakfast every morning for all children. The Club’s close collaboration with the Government of Canada, its public, community and private partners, as well as its continued dedication to improving access to nutritious food for students, helped pave the way for this important announcement.
“The creation of a National School Food Program is a major step forward for the well-being of children, especially after a few difficult years due to inflation and the pandemic. We are extremely proud that the federal government has recognized Breakfast Club of Canada’s expertise and dedication. This trust demonstrates the impact of our work and our long-standing commitment to ensuring that every school-aged child across the country has access to the nutritious foods essential to reach their full potential. Canada is now giving itself the means to allow all children to flourish and transform their dreams into reality,” comments Tommy Kulczyk.
“After years of collaboration and representation with the government, we are witnessing the start of an important transformation for the future of young people,” states Judith Barry. “Under the leadership of Minister Jenna Sudds, supported by the commitment of her predecessors and the significant support of our community partners, we are taking a crucial step. For too long, Canada has been the only G7 country without a National School Food Program. We are delighted to see that the government has finally understood the considerable impact that such a program will have on the well-being and future of children and their families. Today, the unmistakable winners are above all the children who will be able to benefit from nutritious food at school.”
Breakfast Club of Canada will work in the coming weeks and months with the federal, provincial and territorial governments, municipal and school administrations, Indigenous partners, as well as organizations already working in school nutrition, on the next steps to implement a National School Food Program.
National School Food Program Timeline
1994: Founding of Breakfast Club of Canada and implementation of the first breakfast program at Lionel-Groulx School in Longueuil (Quebec), reaching nearly 100 children.
2006: Implementation of the first breakfast program supported by the Club outside Quebec.
2007: Implementation of the first program supported by the Club in an Indigenous community (Schefferville, Quebec).
2010: Launch of the 1000th program supported by the Club in Canada, reaching more than 80,000 children.
2017: At the initiative of the Club, the 19th Global Child Nutrition Forum was held in Canada. At this time, the Club now reached 203,000 children in more than 1,500 programs across the country.
2019: For the first time, the federal government mentions a national school food program in the budget. The Club now reaches 243,000 children in 1,800 programs.
2021: During the federal elections, the Liberal Party of Canada included the establishment of a National School Food Program with funding of one billion over 5 years as an electoral promise in its platform.
2022: Consultations on a National School Food Policy were launched at a Breakfast Club of Canada event with the Karina Gould, former Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
2023: Publication of the What We Heard Report by the Government of Canada on a National School Food Policy and the introduction of Bill C-322 concerning the development of a national framework to establish a school food program.
2024: Official announcement regarding the creation of a National School Food Program. To date, the Club reaches 420,000 children in 3,000 programs, including 45,000 children from Indigenous communities.
About Breakfast Club of Canada
Since 1994, Breakfast Club of Canada has been working with partners from all sectors to help children access a nutritious breakfast and reach their full potential. Accredited by Imagine Canada for its effective governance and recognized for its promotion of local food products, the Club helps reach children in every province and territory across the country. To learn more, visit breakfastclubcanada.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
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Source: Breakfast Club of Canada
Information: Eric Aach, eaach@national.ca, 514-569-3594
IT Director
Founded in 1994, Breakfast Club of Canada is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services and funding to school breakfast programs across the country. We work with partners from all sectors to deliver a high-quality national school food program. Together, we create a nurturing environment, where children and youth can access the nourishment they need to succeed and flourish. Our organization has grown tremendously over the years, but our desire to see children thrive has remained constant.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Breakfast Club of Canada is looking for an IT Director to play a strategic and operational role in the planning, delivery and management of technological projects to support the organization’s mission and objectives. The successful candidate will assume all management responsibilities related to his (her) area of activity, including administrative management as well as financial and material resource management of his (her) department, while ensuring compliance with deadlines, budget and quality. Reporting to the CFO, this person will supervise the members of the technology team and work closely with all other departments in the organization.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
PERSONAL QUALITIES
WORK CONDITIONS
TO APPLY
Please email your résumé and cover letter to CV@breakfastclubcanada.org. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Breakfast Club of Canada promotes employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.
Happy International Women’s Day!
As we are celebrating International Women’s Day, Breakfast Club of Canada would like to highlight the work of breakfast champions and volunteers.
Every morning, they are up early and ready to make a difference in their students’ lives. In addition to offering them a nutritious breakfast, they create safe and welcoming environments where children can start their day. To mark International Women’s Day, we have asked schools from coast-to-coast-to-coast to nominate one of their breakfast champions. We are proud to recognize their efforts and want to thank each one of them for having a significant impact on children’s well-being!
Alberta (Edmonton)
Amina has been demonstrating a high degree of flexibility as well as the capacity to organize and take the time to do the best she can. She is a very caring person. All the students, teachers and staff of St. Teresa of Calcutta School are greatly appreciative of her dedication and commitment.
New-Brunswick (Florenceville)
Paula is the backbone of Carleton North High School’s breakfast program. Every day, she skillfully directs her staff of student assistants to provide nutritious items for over 150 hungry students. Thank you, Paula, for everything you do. You are an amazing team member!
Ontario (Mississauga)
Jamie ensures that the students have milk and nonperishable and perishable breakfast food items daily. She even began delivering fresh fruit and snacks to every classroom to ensure that those who arrive or get hungry later in the morning have an option.
Prince Edward Island (Pinette)
Lana is our breakfast champion. She always makes time in her day, often coming into school early, to bake, sort snacks and prepare breakfast bins for our students in kindergarten through Grade 9. We are beyond grateful for all the extras Lana does for our school and students. Thanks, Lana!
Quebec (Luskville)
Hélène is celebrating her 25th anniversary of being involved with the breakfast program this year. Every morning, with her crew of volunteers, she welcomes students with a smile and a delicious breakfast. She sets a great example for the school and the community!
Saskatchewan (Bienfait)
Theresa is an integral part of our breakfast program. She plans and orders all the food and spends her weekends prepping and baking for the upcoming week, so our students have healthy breakfasts every morning.