Breakfast Club of Canada participates in the Aliments du Québec au menu Recognition Program

 

The organization is recognized for its promotion of Quebec food products and for its sourcing from local food partners.

 

Boucherville, June 23, 2022 – As the school year comes to a close, Breakfast Club of Canada is proud to announce its participation in the Aliments du Québec au menu recognition program for its promotion of Quebec food products in its menus and its 72% sourcing from local food partners.

“The Club recognizes the importance of promoting Quebec foods in order to promote healthy, local and sustainable food in breakfast programs in Quebec,” explains Tommy Kulczyk, President and CEO at Breakfast Club of Canada. “The well-being and development of children are our priorities and being able to accomplish our mission while offering local products that meet the highest standards in terms of nutritional requirements is a great accomplishment. We are very proud of this important recognition which allows us to continue to nurture the potential of children in Quebec.”

The Aliments du Québec au menu program, developed by Aliments du Québec and Équiterre, with the support of the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, recognizes institutions that put Quebec products on the menu in their service. This program also includes a support component that allows the Club to establish longer-term targets and to be monitored in achieving them.

By joining the Aliments du Québec au menu program, the Club recognizes the importance of the national Quebec food purchasing strategy by promoting Quebec products in its breakfast programs and demonstrates its clear commitment to maintaining and expanding its network of close partners. The organization is working to maintain this supply of foods from Quebec and continues to collaborate with the agri-food ecosystem to add more whenever possible.

 

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 by Aliments du Québec for its promotion of local food products, the Club helps reach more than 500 000 children in over 3,000 programs in academic and community settings across the country. The ultimate goal: breakfast for every child, every day. To learn more, visit breakfastclubcanada.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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Media Contacts

Nathalie Rochette
Director, Marketing and Communications
nathalie.rochette@clubdejeuner.org
514-404-5660

Victoria Jaklin

Advisor, Corporate Communications and Public Relations
victoria.jaklin@breakfastclubcanada.org
514-929-6805

Kids putting hands together on the table

Programs Coordinator (Western Canada)

Breakfast Club of Canada is currently looking to hire a Programs Coordinator in Western Canada. Reporting to the Programs Advisor, the Coordinator will work closely with schools, school boards, and community partners to help them achieve high quality breakfast programs, specifically as it pertains to program management, healthy and culturally appropriate meal preparation, nutritional education, and positive socialization. The successful candidate will also work to engage the community in the Club and its mission by leveraging local social assets.

 

Breakfast Club of Canada promotes employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Coordinate the various steps involved in starting and running school breakfast programs
  • Collaborate with schools, communities and regional/local organizations to improve proximity and local capacity in food security, nutrition, student engagement, and program management through ongoing support, in-person visits/training sessions and collaborative partnerships
  • Develop and implement projects to improve food security and food access for schools and communities
  • Review programs’ performance and ensure quality standards are upheld
  • Encourage schools to engage children and youth and get the community involved in a variety of ways
  • Keep watch over relevant community activity and stakeholders
  • Represent the Club at regional meetings and consultations
  • Play a proactive role in collaborative projects
  • Carry out various administrative tasks.

 

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Undergraduate degree or college diploma in nutrition, social work, education or another related field
  • A minimum of two years of relevant experience
  • An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered
  • Is familiar with issues related to food security, healthy eating and/or social development
  • Project management skills
  • Experience working with Indigenous communities (an asset)
  • Knowledge of the philanthropic sector (an asset)
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database experience
  • Effective facilitation and presentation techniques
  • Must have a valid driver’s licence and have access to a vehicle
  • Proficient in English, written and spoken, French knowledge, an asset.

 

PERSONAL QUALITIES
  • Subscribes to the Club’s values
  • Ability to train others
  • Keen planning, priorities and organizational skills
  • Resourceful and aptitude for problem-solving
  • Positive and proactive
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships with various groups of people
  • Ability to work effectively independently as well as within a team and with a wide variety of stakeholders.

 

WORK CONDITIONS
  • Permanent, full-time position
  • 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday
  • Flexible schedule throughout the year
  • Summer hours
  • Competitive salary
  • Vacation and personal leave days
  • Paid day off on your birthday
  • Employee recognition program
  • Group insurance plan
  • Group RRSP with matching employer contributions
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Professional development
  • Must pass a background check
  • The selected candidate will be based at the Vancouver office with a hybrid telework arrangement, or will work remotely in Western Canada (teleworking) with easy access to a major airport.
  • Target start date: as soon as possible.

 

TO APPLY

Please email your resume and cover letter to CV@breakfastclubcanada.org.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

 

Kids putting hands together on the table

Financial Analyst

Breakfast Club of Canada is looking for a Financial Analyst to join our passionate, dynamic and collaborative team. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the selected candidate will play a key role within the Finance team, contributing to budgeting, financial modelling, operating cost analysis and process improvement. The Financial Analyst will serve as a valued business partner for the organization’s managers and a resource person for the Finance Department.

 

Breakfast Club of Canada promotes employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Play an active role in the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
  • Provide operational support in the analysis of KPIs, and develop reports and dashboards.
  • Analyze variances between actual results and budget expectations to inform and support decision-making at the executive level.
  • Provide first-level advisory support to the heads of the various business units for budgeting and forecasting purposes.
  • Serve as a business partner in analyzing mission-critical projects and agreements.
  • Identify key financial risks and put forward solutions for mitigating them.
  • Help prepare files for the organization’s leadership.
  • Serve as a resource person for the Finance Department.

 

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
  • CPA designation, an asset.
  • Five to ten years of relevant experience.
  • Familiarity with best practices in budgeting and the role played by a business partner.
  • Proficiency in Office suite applications (including advanced proficiency in Excel).
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI preferred.
  • Knowledge of ERP systems, such as Dynamics 365 Business Central, an asset.
  • Excellent financial acumen and strong analytical skills.
  • Fluency in written and spoken French and English.

 

PERSONAL QUALITIES
  • Adherence to Breakfast Club of Canada values.
  • Leadership skills and keen business sense.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to multitask effectively.
  • Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
  • Highly self-directed and disciplined.
  • Tolerance for ambiguity.
  • Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to handle information ethically, correctly and confidentially.

 

WORK CONDITIONS
  • Permanent, full-time position
  • 40 hours/week, Monday to Friday
  • Flexible schedule throughout the year
  • Summer hours
  • Competitive salary
  • Vacation and personal leave days
  • Paid day off on your birthday
  • Employee recognition program
  • Group insurance plan
  • Group RRSP with matching employer contributions
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Professional development
  • Reimbursement of professional dues required for employment
  • Must pass a background check
  • The selected candidate will be based at the head office in Boucherville, Quebec, with a hybrid telework arrangement
  • Target start date: As soon as possible

 

TO APPLY

Please email your résumé and cover letter to CV@breakfastclubcanada.org.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Thank you Cards - End of the school year

Cards: Thank You for a Fantastic School Year!

The school year is coming to a close and it’s almost time for summer vacation. We’ve created some thank-you cards you can print out at home for your child to colour in and give to a teacher, school staff member or breakfast program volunteer.

End of School Year - Thank You Cards

Click here to download.

 

For other fun activities, please visit our Kid’s Corner.

bénévoles

Your program in 5 Questions — Maverick School, Swift Current, SK

 

Maverick School joined Breakfast Club of Canada in December 2021. See what their principal, Jayne Nicholson, has to say about their daily breakfast program.

 

 What is the one thing people need to know about your breakfast program?

The most important thing you need to know about our breakfast program is that students are truly appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy breakfast when they arrive at school! They LOVE smoothies!

Student drinking smoothie

What are you most proud of in your breakfast program?

I’m most proud of how the program has been streamlined. Students order their breakfast through a Google Chat with our breakfast program coordinator, and food is delivered right to students’ work area. This began because of COVID, but I think we will keep it in place as it is time-efficient and there is no food waste! I’m also proud and grateful that the additional funds have allowed us to ensure food security over school breaks in the form of food hampers containing non-perishable breakfast items.

 

Is there a student/school staff/community member who has gone above and beyond in your breakfast program?

I’d like to give a shout-out to Alisa Meyer, our coordinator. Lis is kind, caring and efficient! She knows that students value her work, and she is always eager to try new breakfast items to expand our menu and provide variety. On Fridays, she creates a breakfast casserole, pancakes or French toast as a special treat. She is mindful of the budget and keeps our kitchen shiny clean. Our breakfast program is in capable and caring hands. Thank you, Lis!

Student eating toast

Special breakfasts: What do students look forward to?

SMOOTHIES! Wow, do they love smoothies! Our smoothies contain a variety of fruits, greens and Greek yogurt to make sure that hit of protein is part of their morning meal. They also love breakfast wraps.

 

Have students asked for specific foods? What are they? Any interesting, unique requests?

We have not had requests for specific foods. Everyday breakfast items include fruit and yogurt, whole wheat toast, oatmeal, low-sugar cereals and, of course, smoothies!

girl eating watermelon

A Winning Food Partnership

 

In May 2021, Breakfast Club of Canada joined forces with Services Alimentaires Racines to set up a pilot project aimed at ensuring more children and youth could start their school day with a healthy breakfast.

 

Who is Services Alimentaires Racines?

Established in 2012, Services Alimentaires Racines is a social economy enterprise that provides food services to the local community in and around Huntingdon, Quebec. Fighting food insecurity at the local level is an important part of the organization’s mission.

Arthur-Pigeon School and Services Alimentaires Racines have been partnering to feed children for the past seven years. Staff members from the organization’s catering services go to the school to prepare meals that are then distributed to students in the surrounding area.

 

Enter BCC

Last year, a community partnership agreement was entered into between Breakfast Club of Canada and Services Alimentaires Racines to bring a hybrid menu to the students of Arthur-Pigeon School. Under the terms of the project, financed by BCC, Services Alimentaires Racines supplies the grains, fruits and vegetables, and the Club supplies the proteins directly from its warehouse.

The agreement was renewed at the beginning of the 2021–2022 school year to ensure students at Arthur-Pigeon School continued to have access to the program. Currently, that translates to roughly 250 breakfasts every day.

 

Onward and upward

In 2022, the pilot project was extended to include other schools as well. In January, Chateauguay Valley Regional High School, in Ormstown, switched to a different approach. Instead of having supplies dropped off to the school, the program rolled out a hybrid menu, which was made possible by the community partnership between BCC and Services Alimentaires Racines. Another 100 students are now part of the pilot project as a result. In April 2022, Heritage Regional High School in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, followed in these same footsteps, adding yet another 100 students to the roster.

 

Another actor in the fight against food waste

Les Complices Alimentaires is a collective project whose goal is to repurpose fruits and vegetables. Thanks to their work, rescuing surplus and unsellable products from grocery stores and other retail establishments, students have access to a variety of fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year. This group undertaking, alongside Services Alimentaires Racines and Breakfast Club of Canada, allows students from all three schools to be exposed to a wider range of food. When the growing season is over, Les Complices Alimentaires cans and preserves whatever is left to be enjoyed during the winter months. That way, nothing goes to waste!

 

Good things come to those who eat

The official metrics for the pilot project have not yet been released, but here is a sneak peek at some of the benefits that have already been observed:

  • An increase in daily attendance at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School, which climbed as high as 50% in only a few months.
  • Easier use, distribution and consumption of local products.
  • Streamlined discussions between BCC, Services Alimentaires Racines and other front-line organizations such as Moisson Sud-Ouest and Cantine pour tous as a result of the approach being used.
  • A lower staff turnover rate at Services Alimentaires Racines and an increase in production output. With financial support from BCC and others, the company was actually able to upgrade some of the kitchen equipment.
  • Reduction in food waste, thanks to the contributions of Les Complices Alimentaires, a collective social enterprise.

 

One year after the launch of the project, we are happy to report that a total 450 students from these three schools enjoy a healthy breakfast every morning. Communication with the administration of Arthur-Pigeon School is very smooth, thereby laying the groundwork for future opportunities with other nearby schools.

Stay tuned!