Erasing the Stigma Around Breakfast Clubs

Prior to the launch of our 2017 Toonies for Tummies campaign, one of our influencers, Melanie from MBA MamaMusings, had a chance to talk with Nicola Lyle, Regional Manager for the Central East Student Nutrition Program. Nicola had a number of interesting things to share about The Grocery Foundation and the #Toonies4Tummies program.

Prior to the launch of our 2017 Toonies for Tummies campaign, one of our influencers, Melanie from MBA MamaMusings, had a chance to talk with Nicola Lyle, Regional Manager for the Central East Student Nutrition Program. Nicola had a number of interesting things to share about The Grocery Foundation and the #Toonies4Tummies program.

Here are the highlights of their discussion:

  • Children participate in the school nutrition programs based entirely on want, never based on a perceived ‘need’ – any child who wishes to access a program, may – no questions asked.
  • Depending on the facilities at the school, snacks and/or meals may be served. What’s the difference? A snack has two food groups, a meal has three.
  • Food insecurity is not the only reason for participation in the program. The reasons are incredibly diverse. Everything from early morning sports practice, late pick up from after school care, lengthy rural bus routes, growth spurts, forgetting to bring lunch, or simply really liking what is being offered that day are all reasons children access school nutrition programs.
  • The only money that can be used for administrative costs must come from the 15% of the budget the government provides. 100% of all funds raised through donation go 100% to food for the kids.
  • Volunteers are the key to carrying out the program in every area; without them, them, there is no way the program could survive.
  • Because each program is led locally, they are better able to adapt to regional needs such as religious and cultural dietary restrictions, or even seasonal need.
  • The programs are able to work directly with local farmers – a win/win situation for everybody. Those weird looking apples and two-legged carrots are gladly welcomed into the kitchens of the Student Nutrition Program, reducing food waste and giving the kids fresh food to eat.


A School Breakfast Program Profile:

You can read Melanie's full article here.

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We are so grateful to Canadians who support Toonies for Tummies during our annual store campaign and, year-round, online.

You may know on April 16th, the Federal Government confirmed plans to support student nutrition programs. Specifically, the budget has announced the creation of a National School Food Program, which will provide $1 billion over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, starting in 2024‑25.

You may wonder what does this government funding mean specific to the need and our efforts to fundraise?

Without a doubt, we continue to need your support. While many student nutrition program leaders are encouraged by the incremental government support, many have taken to the news and social media to confirm even with this support, funding gaps will persist.

The Grocery Foundation's Vision, that no Canadian child goes to school hungry, remains fully intact. Our work continues and remains vital to support hungry children through their school’s student nutrition program. There is no change whatsoever in our focus, our mission, or our reliance on your support.

The programs we help fund are universal in nature. That means all children who require a healthy meal have access. Those on the front lines of these programs affirm their positive impact and positive halo beyond the day’s nutrition, from attendance, behaviours to the school community and mental health. The programs you help fund also support foundational nutrition knowledge and social skill building, as many programs include mechanisms for student involvement in menu planning, food preparation and serving of food to peers.

Thank you for choosing to support hungry children in your community, nourishing their health, well-being, academic success while fostering their school community. With your continued support, we will continue to help dreams take flight and nourish over 3,000 programs and neighbourhoods, yours among them.