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An Inspiring Volunteer and Her « Projet Écolimentaire »!
As the 2020–2021 school year got underway, Saint-Coeur-de-Marie School was still short a site coordinator for its breakfast program.
Having just moved to Saint-Damien, Catherine Rixhon took advantage of the opportunity to get involved in the community and do something positive for the next generation through her twin passions of cooking and gardening. She loved the experience immediately and saw that she would be making a real difference in the day-to-day lives of students. But she was far from done contributing! She reached out to an organization that funds community health projects and secured a grant for the school, which was then used to start an initiative known as “Projet Écolimentaire.” The objective is to make locally grown foods more available to students. Part of the funding went toward procuring new appliances and accessories for the school kitchen. The school already had a seed planter, courtesy of the Municipality of Saint-Damien, which meant that everything was in place to allow students in every class to plant, grow and harvest a variety of fruits and vegetables in their community garden. Potatoes, kale, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic and bell peppers are among the plants they proudly tend.
But what about potential food waste? No worries there! Catherine had yet another trick up her sleeve. She and seven other community recruits meet up twice a month to make and freeze healthy, delicious dishes like omelets, kale chips, muffins, breakfast cookies and smoothies to serve in the school’s breakfast program. It wasn’t long until parents were clamouring to join in on the fun. After all, helping out in the kitchen once or twice a month is easier for most than volunteering every day during school hours.
When asked about why she decided to take the lead on this project, Catherine credited her own sustainability-minded values. She is determined to reduce the quantity of individually packaged foods served at the school and focus on locally grown items. “If you want to change society, I think you have to start by educating children,” she says. That is why she is committed to piquing students’ curiosity by exposing them to different combinations of fresh, healthy foods and encouraging them to talk about what they like and how each food is unique. In addition, twice a week, she delivers special announcements over the school’s PA system about healthy eating and the environment. It’s a great way to raise awareness about nutrition and food waste among students and staff alike. As a result, composting has gradually worked its way into the school’s routine practices.
Even if she doesn’t consider herself to be a morning person, Catherine is delighted and honoured to be involved in the school’s breakfast program. “I’m always raring to get to the school in the morning. The breakfast program has put a little extra pep into my life!”
Federal Budget 2023 – National School Food Program
Children across Canada will have to wait
Boucherville, March 28, 2023 – Following the tabling of the federal government’s 2023 budget, Breakfast Club of Canada is concerned that no financial commitment to implementing a national school nutritious meal program has been put forward.
“At the rate the federal government is moving, Canada risks remaining the only G7 country without a school nutrition program for months, if not, years to come. Despite the federal government’s goodwill to implement such a program, we must recognize that the 2023 budget sends contradictory signals,” comments Tommy Kulczyk, President and Chief Executive Officer at Breakfast Club of Canada.
Nutrition is key to children’s overall health, well-being and learning. It is well documented that a healthy and nutritious diet is important to ensure optimal health, growth, and development, prevent various chronic diseases, and support learning. However, many children and youth across Canada are at risk to start their school day on an empty stomach. In fact, this situation may worsen, as inflation and higher interest rates make it more difficult for families to afford sufficient and healthy foods. As a result, many Canadians are adjusting their behaviour to cope with rising food prices: over 30 percent are eating less nutritious food and nearly 20 per cent are reducing meal sizes or skipping meals.
“There has never been a more critical time to invest in school nutrition programs and ensure that all children across the country have access to the nutritious foods they need to develop their full potential,” adds Judith Barry, Co-Founder and Director, Government Relations. “Despite the federal government’s commitment to develop a National School Food Program, four years following the first budget mention related to creating such program, in 2019, there is still no committed funding.”
A first substantial, multi-year funding in 2023 would have assisted in strengthening existing school nutrition programs in all provinces and territories, accelerating the impact of resources invested by all stakeholders, and filling the gaps in their reach and quality.
Breakfast Club of Canada is committed to continuing to collaborate with all donors and stakeholders as well as federal, provincial and territorial governments, to ensure that Canada becomes a country where no children go to school on an empty stomach.
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 more than 580 000 children in over 3,500 programs in academic and community settings across the country. The ultimate goal: access to a nutritious breakfast for every child, every day. To learn more, visit breakfastclubcanada.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Source: Breakfast Club of Canada
For further information: Eric Aach, eaach@national.ca, 514 569-3594
Breakfast Club of Canada applauds funding announced in Budget 2023 dedicated to support school food programs across British Columbia
Vancouver, March 2, 2023 – Tuesday, the Government of British Columbia announced the details for Budget 2023, which includes dedicated new funding to support sustainable school food programs across the province. A total of $214 million over the next three years will be invested in expanding existing school food programs and increasing capacity to address student hunger.
Breakfast Club of Canada welcomes this announcement that will leverage existing contributions from food security organizations and the private sector. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to advance the development of school nutrition programs, which have positive impacts on the health and education of children across the country.
“As many children and families continue to struggle with the impacts of inflation and lack of access to nutritious foods each day, this funding is an inspiring step towards ensuring that every child in the province can benefit from school food programs and reach their full potential,” stated Judith Barry, Cofounder and Director of Government Relations at Breakfast Club of Canada. “This new investment will position BC as a leader in school food programs in the country. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders involved in ensuring our support to future generations.”
It takes an entire team to effectively promote access to nutritious food for children. This commitment from the Government of British Columbia will help emphasize the importance of the ongoing work with non-profit organizations and the need for community connections, inclusion and continued support from donors to ensure that all children are able to benefit from a nutritious breakfast to start their day.
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 more than 580 000 children in over 3,500 school nutrition programs across the country, including over 18,000 children in more than 300 programs in British Columbia each day. The ultimate goal: breakfast for every child, every day. To learn more, visit breakfastclubcanada.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
For more information or to speak with a Breakfast Club of Canada spokesperson, please contact:
Victoria Jaklin
victoria.jaklin@breakfastclubcanada.org
An Entire Community for the Well-Being Of Young People
As we celebrate Hooked on School Days, I would like to say a special word about the dedicated people who play an essential role in children’s academic journey. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Breakfast Club of Canada, I realize that parents, teachers, breakfast program volunteers and donors are doing their utmost to ensure children have the energy they need to learn and engage.
Keeping children in school starts with building a safe and inclusive community around them. However, with life finally returning to normal for most of us, children still face unprecedented challenges regarding access to healthy food, social development and mental health. After four years at the helm of BCC, I am amazed when I hear what school teams, families and students have to say about the positive impacts of school food programs.
Beyond helping to provide access to nutritious breakfasts, the Club offers a nurturing environment where students feel like they matter. By coming together with caring and compassion, they can build the confidence they need to continue their education, pursue their interests and explore their passions. And this confidence is something they will, in turn, pass down to future generations.
I invite you to keep the same drive and determination, to help the adults of tomorrow realize their full potential. Your words of encouragement, commitment and generosity make a real difference in keeping children in school and learning.
Tommy Kulczyk
For more information: Hooked on School Days – journeesperseverancescolaire.com/en/about/hooked-on-school-days
Handy Nutrition Tools for You to Use!
The Breakfast Club of Canada Nutrition Committee has some great tools for you to check out. Be sure to have a closer look and find out how to boost the nutritional value of your breakfasts, encourage children to try new foods and make healthy eating habits stick.
Nutrition Guidelines
The Club’s General Nutrition Guidelines contain a series of recommendations to help you make every breakfast nutrient-dense and nutritionally balanced, with a daily selection from each of the three main food categories. Get inspired by the front-page picture of a colourful plate brimming over with healthy food choices, and keep reading for more examples of recommendations for each category.
Want to dive deeper when making your breakfast menu selections for your students? Then be sure to read our Detailed Nutrition Guidelines, where you can learn more about what goes into a healthy, balanced breakfast.
Swap This… For That!
The Swap This… for That! sheet has some great ideas for incorporating healthier alternatives into your breakfast program menus. The suggested foods and ingredients will increase the nutritional value of your meals. Have a look to see some of the places you can power up children’s mornings!
Nurturing Healthy Eaters
Our Nurturing Healthy Eaters sheet outlines five simple ways you can encourage students to embrace healthy eating. Find out how to create a positive breakfast environment and instil good attitudes toward food.
Special Occasions
Our Special Occasions sheet has some creative ideas for preparing healthy breakfasts to celebrate key dates throughout the year. Looking for inspiration? Look no further!
Tips on Introducing New Foods to Your Program
With our Tips on Introducing New Foods to Your Program, you can learn more about how to successfully diversify your breakfast menu. The information in this document is designed to help schools work new foods into their programs and into children’s daily diets.
The Success Story of Le Tandem School and Fruits et légumes Bono Inc.
Every week, at Le Tandem School in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, a delivery truck pulls in, with thousands of pieces of fresh ‘’Fruits et légumes Bono’’ produce on board. Through this partnership, students have access to a wider variety of fruit every morning.
In October 2021, it occurred to one of the teachers at Le Tandem that the produce that went unsold at Fruits et légumes Bono (where her husband worked) could be repurposed and redistributed to the children at her school. The idea went over well with both the school’s principal, Sylvain Jetté, and the president of the Montreal-based company, Giuseppe Lavorato. Ever since, fresh fruit has been a morning staple for the more than 380 students at Le Tandem, 70 of whom are enrolled in the breakfast program. Given that the products provided through BCC are limited to what is available from suppliers and subject to transportation constraints, a partner like this is vital to adding extra variety to children’s diets. What’s more, the fruit is provided free of charge, courtesy of Bono. The only cost covered by the school is the delivery charge.
It just goes to show that one teacher with one simple idea can have a tremendous impact on an entire school population. Thank you to all those who have been involved in making this amazing initiative come to life!
Perhaps you, too, should consider approaching some of the food businesses in your area to see if a similar arrangement can be made. Who knows what would come of it!