who’s hungry? - nbta - new brunswick teachers ...€¢ssist schools interested in launching or...

How to Start aBreakfast Program

in your School!

WHO’SHUNGRY?

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Equity in Education Committee

New Brunswick Teachers’ Association P.O. Box 752

650 Montgomery StreetFredericton, NB

E3B 5R6

Kimberly McKayAdministrative Officer, Professional Issues

Phone: 506-452-1757E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.nbta.ca

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Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4

Rationale ...............................................................................................................................5

Research

Poverty in New Brunswick ............................................................................................ 6

Connections between Hunger and Learning ............................................................... 8

Steps for Starting a Breakfast Program ............................................................................. 9

Types of Breakfast Programs ........................................................................................... 10

School and Community Inclusion .................................................................................... 12

Funding................................................................................................................................14

Policy Recommendations ..................................................................................................16

Tips and Strategies ............................................................................................................. 17

Appendices

BFL: Monthly Expense Summary Form ......................................................................... 20

BFL: Monthly Tracking Form ...........................................................................................21

BFL: Useful Links ..............................................................................................................22

Extreme Allergy Management and Emergency Plan ..................................................... 24

Policy 132 Contribution of Resources by Parents .......................................................... 29

Policy 708: Fundraising Involving Door-to-Door and Public Solicitation .................... 35 Policy 711: Appendix A Nutrition Policy ..........................................................................38

Appendix B Fundraising Alternatives ..........................................................................52

Sample Newsletter ............................................................................................................. 53

Sample Media Release ...................................................................................................... 54

Sample Food Donation Letter ..................................................................................... 55

Rural vs. Urban Case Study .............................................................................................. 56

References .......................................................................................................................... 59

Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS

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This manual is an educational resource produced by the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association (NBTA). It is designed to assist teachers, school administrators, parents, and volunteers in developing a Breakfast Program in their school. The NBTA Equity in Education Committee reviewed and supports this publication. The goals of this manual are to:

• bring awareness to the research linking hunger and learning.

• assist schools interested in launching or improving a school Breakfast Program.

• provide ideas and resources for Breakfast Programs in New Brunswick.

This resource draws upon current research, case studies, and nutrition policies to create a user-friendly manual for starting or improving a Breakfast Program.

Introduction

“I know that the biggest difference I found after toast cart started was that the kindergarten students no longer spent all morning asking

“when is it recess? I’m hungry?” Those who were hungry were able to eat in the morning, and then

were able to focus better on their work.”

INTRODUCTION

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When comparing poverty in New Brunswick to the connection between hunger and learning, the importance of establishing Breakfast Programs in New Brunswick schools becomes evident. The purpose of this manual is to demonstrate steps of how to go about creating a Breakfast Program that is effective and realistic for schools to develop and sustain. By providing nutritious foods to all children and youth in schools, we are generating a better classroom environment in which students have an equal opportunity to learn and grow. When students can concentrate on class material and activities with energy and enthusiasm they are less likely to act out in bad behaviour and cause class disruptions. Students benefiting from a Breakfast Program have increased self-esteem, cognitive ability, and overall learning potential.

There are numerous benefits to ensuring the children in public school systems are well fed. A child’s overall health and happiness greatly depends on their access to nutritious foods. Unfortunately, “Canada is globally unique in its relaxed approach to school food. It is the only G8 country with full day classes and no national school meals program, the often fraught system that nonetheless ensures grade school children from the United States to Japan have access to some form of sustenance – either free or at subsidized prices – during each day of study” (Globe and Mail, October 7th, 2011). “About 90 per cent of Canadian children are not provided with a meal at school unless they bring it from home. The small numbers of meal programs that exist endure because the administrators and volunteers who operate them are convinced of the benefits” (Globe and Mail, October 7th, 2011).

Finally, if all students have these increased abilities it is fair to say that more students will have increased opportunities upon graduation. “Students who perform poorly in high school are unlikely to go to college or university and have difficulty in finding jobs” (Learning: Everybody’s Project). If more students are able to go on to post-secondary education, they will eventually be contributing to the economy in New Brunswick. “Post-secondary graduates earn more over their lifetimes and therefore are the strongest contributors to tax revenues that fund the programs needed. New Brunswick has one of the lowest percentages of postsecondary participation in Canada. Although more than half of high school graduates continue to college or university, only 60% complete their program” (Learning: Everybody’s Project). Not only does education contribute to the economy it is also lowers the costs for other areas such as “social, justice, and healthy services” (Learning: Everybody’s Project).

RationaleRATIONALE

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Poverty in New Brunswick

In New Brunswick there are impoverished rural communities as well as larger cities, so it is essential to mould a program that fits your school. Each breakfast program should reflect what is realistic for the school to undertake. Some statistics and research concerning poverty in New Brunswick, low-income families, and children’s health and education to take into consideration before developing a school breakfast program are:

Government of New Brunswick:• Based on the 2006 Census, 729,995 people live in New Brunswick and

approximately 100,740 (13.8%) of them are living in poverty.• Approximately 38,984 New Brunswickers are receiving social assistance.• There are 35,100 New Brunswickers looking for a job.• In 2007 approximately 92,755 adults (age 18+) and 26,353 youth (under the

age of 18) are served by New Brunswick food banks in a year.

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/esic/overview/content/

fact_check_povertyinnewbrunswick.html#1

Human Development Council:

Government programs do make a difference—without them the family poverty rate would be 27% in New Brunswick, instead of 15%.

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://www.humandevelopmentcouncil.nb.ca/NBChildandFamilyPovertyReportCard.pdf

Single mother families and their children continue to be one of the most economically vulnerable groups in New Brunswick with half (49.5%) living below the poverty line in 2006.

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://stopatlantica.org/?q=node/260

The latest Statistics Canada data, from 2008, shows that more than 17,000 New Brunswick children (12.0% or 1 in 8) are living in families with incomes below the poverty line.

How does poverty affect a child’s health?• Low income children are more likely to have low birth weights, asthma,

type 2 diabetes and suffer from malnutrition.

ResearchRESEARCH

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• Low income children are more likely to have learning disabilities, emotional difficulties and behavioural problems.

• Children who grow up in poverty are, as adults, more likely to experience addictions, mental health difficulties, physical disabilities and premature death.

Food bank usage in NB increased 4% between 2009 and 2010, and a third of those assisted in March of this year (34%) were children. Meanwhile the cost of buying healthy food has also risen and is largely unaffordable for low income consumers.

Addressing food insecurity involves moving along a continuum of three strategies: 1) Short Term Relief Strategies: food banks, school feeding programs, soup kitchens, food vouchers; 2) Capacity Building Strategies: cooking clubs, community gardens, community kitchens, farmers’ markets, food purchasing clubs; and 3) Systems Change Strategies: poverty reduction initiatives, examining minimum wage and social assistance rates, food and nutrition policies, etc.

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/provincial/New%20Brunswick/

2010Childand%20FamilyPovertyReportCardEnglish.pdf

“A man sized boy in grade 9, arrived late and began to be his usual uncooperative self.

Exasperated, the T.A said, “What is wrong with you this morning?” He responded, “I’m hungry.”

She gave him a granola bar and he said, “Now I can think about work,” ….and he did.”

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World Health Organization:

Good nutrition strengthens the learning potential and wellbeing of children:Multiple studies report significant findings between the nutritional status and cognitive test scores or school performance. Consistently, children with more adequate diets score higher on tests of factual knowledge than those with less adequate nutrition; independent of family income, school quality and teacher ability” (WHO, p.10). Thus, good nutrition is needed to strengthen the learning potential of children, to enable them to learn effectively and maximize investments in education (WHO, p.12)

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://www.who.int/school_youth_health/media/en/428.pdf

Breakfast for Learning:

When a child is hungry, it’s hard to learn. In fact, undernourished students are less able to concentrate on the tasks at hand, have lower self-esteem and are absent from school more often. In comparison, when children have healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, teachers and principals report less in-class disruptions, less conflict between students and overall, a happier and healthier school environment.

Retrieved September 20, 2011 from, http://www.breakfastforlearning.ca/en/how-to-help/31-of-elementary-school-and-62-of-secondary-

school-students-do-not-eat-a-healthy-breakfast-daily

Other Resources:

Some benefits of breakfast for children include:

• higher test scores; • a healthy immune system;• higher class attendance; • more vitamin and mineral intake;• healthy energy levels; • helps with weight control;• better attitude towards school.

Retrieved November 8, 2011 from, http://www.thedietchannel.com/5-important-reasons-your-child-should-eat-breakfast.htm

Hunger and LearningHUNGER AND LEARNING

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• Recognize there is a need for a breakfast program and make a decision to create a universal program in your school.

• Get the school staff and administration in support of having a breakfast program.

• Recruit committed volunteers. Volunteers and others involved with the breakfast program must have a criminal record check and policy 701 training completed before starting.

• Decide which type of breakfast program you will be offering and which foods will be provided.

• Create a committee that will oversee the breakfast program.

• Contact local businesses and non-profit organizations to spread awareness of the breakfast program and to canvass for donations for funding or products. In order to do this effectively you could send out cover letters explaining the program and what is needed.

• Apply for funding and grant through resources such as Breakfast for Learning, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, and other resources suggested in the manual.

• Assign an accessible location in the school to hold the program.

• Evaluate the existing resources in your school and compile a list of needed resources (i.e. sink; food preparation area, commercial toaster, fridge, deep freezer, storage, etc).

• Designate and evenly distribute roles and responsibilities to volunteers and others involved in the breakfast program. Ensure the volunteer fully understands, is comfortable with, and can successfully carry out their role and responsibilities.

Steps for Starting a Breakfast Program

“One school in New Brunswick has a very successful breakfast program in which they have left over gift cards from a grocery store that they give out to children and youth in need during the

holidays.”

STEPS FOR STARTING A BREAKFAST PROGRAM

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Each school will have different needs and different resources. The best breakfast programs are available to all students, therefore there is no stigma towards utilizing the program. Here is a list of suggestions to find help find which one is right for you!

• Breakfast foods in the school cafeteria:

o Breakfast will be prepared in the cafeteria kitchen. Meals will be served in the cafeteria. With this option, students and staff can all eat together in a social environment.

o Examples: Multigrain toast, bagels, muffins, rolls, english muffins, free-run eggs, healthy cereals, yogurt, pancakes, fruit, milk, and 100% fruit juice.

• Breakfast foods delivered to each homeroom class:

o Breakfast will be prepared wherever the food is being stored or in a kitchen. Meals will be delivered to each homeroom class. This option can be helpful for schools that do not have a cafeteria where students can gather to eat. With this option, older students can be the volunteers to help deliver the breakfasts to each classroom.

o Examples: Multigrain toast, bagels, muffins, rolls, english muffins, yogurt, veggies & dip, healthy cereals, applesauce, milk, 100% fruit juice.

• “Grab & Go” breakfast foods in the school lobby:

o Food is placed on tables in the school lobby or entrance of the school. Students can grab the food as they enter the school and go off to their classrooms. This is option is helpful for schools without cafeterias or kitchens.

o Examples: Muffins, rolls, granola bars, cereal bars, fruit, 100% fruit bars, crackers, cheese, applesauce, trail mix, milk cartons, and 100% fruit juice boxes.

Types of Breakfast ProgramsTYPES OF BREAKFAST PROGRAMS

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• Baskets of “Grab & Go” food in each classroom:

o Food is placed in baskets in each classroom and is available throughout the day for students. This option is helpful when students are hungry at different times during the day. It is another option for schools that do not have cafeterias or kitchens.

o Examples: Muffins, rolls, granola bars, cereal bars, fruit, 100% fruit bars, crackers, cheese, applesauce, trail mix, milk cartons, and 100% fruit juice boxes.

• Breakfast served in the gym, library, home economics classroom, or resource center:

o Food is served in larger areas of the school if no cafeteria is available. This is a helpful option when the school would prefer for the students to all eat in one location together. This is an easy option to have students can help set up and clean up afterwards.

o Examples: Healthy cereals, muffins, rolls, granola bars, cereal bars, fruit, 100% fruit bars, crackers, cheese, applesauce, trail mix, milk cartons, and 100% fruit juice boxes.

“One particular student 2 years ago who hardly ever ate, skipped school a lot, started coming to the breakfast and lunch programs did very well

and graduated. She said she feels so much better because she is eating home cooked food instead

of just eating processed fake food.”

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The success of a breakfast program should not rely on teachers and school administration alone. The goal of a breakfast program is not to overwhelm the school’s staff and resources. Responsibilities can be shared in a number of ways. Here are some ideas:

Students:

• Leadership teams and student council: older students can be role models for the younger students by helping run the breakfast program. They may be useful in food preparation, organization, food delivery, and clean-up.

• Students can also be involved in fundraising for supplies. This gives them excellent experience in volunteering.

Parents:

• Parents can be involved with the program by “sitting on committees, planning menus, helping with the daily operation of the program” (Breakfast for Learning).

• Parents can also help through fundraising, collecting donations, and volunteering through their local Home and School Association or others.

• One way to keep parents involved is to keep them informed throughout the school year about the breakfast program.

School Administration & Teachers:

• One important way a school can be involved with its’ breakfast program is to ensure that all guidelines and school policies are being followed. For example: Health & Safety, Food safety, Nutrition policies, cafeteria contracts, and Fundraising policies must be noted and guidelines need to be followed to ensure the success of your breakfast program.

• A school should also have their own representation on the breakfast program committee. For an example, the committee may consist of a coordinator, a head volunteer, a head parent, a fundraising chair, a media chair and others who would work together to guarantee the breakfast program functions at its full potential.

School and Community InclusionSCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INCLUSION

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Community and Volunteer Groups:

• It is helpful to create a list of people and groups that can contribute to your breakfast program and contact them. The Breakfast for Learning website shares some useful ideas such as:

o The Retired Teacher Association and other senior volunteer groups may be interested in volunteering with the breakfast program.

o “Anti-hunger coalition, faith groups, advocacy organizations, and the business community. Local retailers, grocers, and business people may be willing to help, either individually or through their business associations” (Breakfast for Learning, Retrieved September 20, 2011).

o Some examples of retailers and grocers in New Brunswick that may provide donations of food items, gift cards, or discounts include:

• Costco• Superstore• Sobeys• Jean Coutu• Wal-Mart• Giant Tiger• Save Easy.

o Some examples of groups in New Brunswick that may be helpful in funding and/or volunteering include:

• Banks• Canadian Diabetes Association• Nursing students (and other university students)• Head Start Program• Aliant Pioneers, Rotary Clubs• Lions Clubs• The Royal Canadian Legion• Boys and Girls Club• Kiwanis Club• Y’s men• Local markets, local and chain restaurants, food banks, and

local non-profit organizations.

o Business sponsor of the month: each month of the school year a business could be advertised as supporting funding and resources for the school’s breakfast program.

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Aviva Community FundAviva Community Fund competition helps make a positive impact in Canadian communities by funding local and national initiatives for change. www.avivacommunityfund.org

Breakfast Clubs of CanadaBreakfast Clubs of Canada is a national organization dedicated to supporting community-based breakfast programs for school children. We raise funds for programs and help to sustain them by providing appliances, food donations and management tools. Breakfast Clubs of Canada assesses grant requests from registered not-for-profit organizations and/or schools that provide breakfast to schoolchildren living in underprivileged areas.www.breakfastclubscanada.org/docs/GrantApplication-ENG.PDF

Breakfast for LearningBreakfast for Learning New Brunswick is committed to helping start and sustain child nutrition programs, ensuring that students are well-nourished and ready to learn. Grants can be used to staffing, food or equipment to run a child nutrition program. To apply for a grant, please read the following for deadlines and application forms.www.breakfastforlearning.ca/en/new-brunswick/apply-for-a-grant

Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)CBDC assists in the creation of small businesses and in the expansion and modernization of existing businesses by providing financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. www.cbdc.ca

Curriculum Services CanadaCSC is a non-profit organization that works closely with governments, Non-governmental organizations, industry and agencies across Canada and internationally on initiatives related to learning and learner success at all ages and stages of life. www.cirriculum.org

EnterpriseTo create the environment for prosperity in the community by inspiring and supporting people, ideas, and investment. *Note: Enterprise has various locations throughout the province and websites for each region. For an example, if you are in the Saint John area, there is an Enterprise Saint John and the website is www.enterprisesj.com

FundingFUNDING

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EvergreenEvergreen is a non-profit organization which offers a range of services, resources, and funding to people interested in greening across the country. They have three main areas of programming: for schools grounds; for community and public spaces; and your grounds at home. This is useful for school gardens and for schools interested in using the foods grown for their breakfast programs. Look under the funding section for available grants. www.evergreen.ca

United Commercial Travelers (UTC)UTC unties people with a common passion for good citizenship and volunteerism to improve their local communities. www.utc.org

United WayUnited Way is a volunteer lead, non-profit organization that addresses key human services issues today to reduce needs in the future. They invest into local programs and initiatives to address needs and seek out ways to build and strengthen our community. http://www.unitedwaycentral.com

“When there is not a sustainable breakfast program or adequate funding in schools, the

pressure of knowing students are going hungry may fall on the staff of the school. Teachers at times may bring in extra food from home or

change for hot lunch because it is difficult for them to watch students go without. This causes a stress on finances for staff and it is a burden that

can be lifted with a breakfast program.”

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This page can be a useful resource because it suggests policy recommendations at all three levels of government to aid in the goal of breakfast for all children. This resource is from FoodShare Toronto.

Federal Policies National Child and Student Nutrition Program – The Federal government needs a work with the provinces to implement a universal student nutrition program and children’s’ nutrition programs to encourage children and students to eat healthy local food at school and at home.1. Canada needs a strong social safety net to reduce hunger – Programs to make sure provinces invest in housing, child care, food,

health care and dental care. (Bring back Canadian Assistance Plan, a social safety net below which no Canadian can fall.)

2. Create a Minister of Food Security – A ministry to plan how every Canadian will eat each day and how we

could grow enough food in Canada to feed our population is needed.

Provincial Policies 1. Universal Student Nutrition Program – All children in all communities need access to at least one healthy snack

at school. The province should extend funding beyond the current levels for student nutrition programs and implement a universal program and integrate food literacy in the school day.

2. Support to local farmers The Province should support ALUS (Alternative Land Use Systems)

providing payments to farmers for environmental stewardship, and explore expanding ALUS to create support systems for farmers who grow food for local consumption such as schools, hospitals and farmers’ markets using sustainable growing practices.

City Policies1. Public food on public land Parks and Recreation should develop community-friendly policies that

make it easy for neighbourhood groups to develop gardens, produce markets, and farmers markets.

2. Every school a healthy food centre Every child in their community should have a school program that

encourages healthy eating and growing.

Retrieved October 17, 2011 from, http://www.foodshare.net/foodPolicy-recommendations2011.htm

Policy RecommendationsPOLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

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The following list is some tips and strategies from existing breakfast programs to help you get started:

• Make the breakfast program available to every student (universal).

• Get the school staff on board with the program.

• Make the program known to the community. One way of doing this is by sending heartfelt letters to local community resources to demonstrate the needs and benefits of having a breakfast program in your school.

• Applying for any funding and grants you qualify for is an asset to your program. Even being rewarded the minimum amount is worth the effort of applying. For an example, Breakfast for Learning’s minimum donation is $500.

• A parent can apply for Breakfast for Learning funding; it does not have to be a teacher or administrator.

• Contact local grocery stores for new food items they have available. The items may be donated for free in order to promote their product.

• Inform local volunteer groups of the program and get them involved.

• Keep all receipts.

• If possible, assign one volunteer to do the grocery shopping to keep things simple. This person would be responsible for keeping receipts, looking for deals, and being informed of which products need replenished therefore, it must be someone who is dedicated.

• Have useful websites, phone numbers, contact names, and other relevant information posted around where the program is located for students as a resource.

• Allocate a portion of the funding towards the purchase of supplies (forks, knives, spoon, napkins, cups, plates, etc).

• Ensure food and drink items are fully stocked by taking regular inventory of supplies.

Tips and StrategiesTIPS AND STRATEGIES

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• To be sure those students who miss the breakfast program in the morning (i.e. late buses, etc) still receive something to eat the morning, “Grab and go” bags of non-perishable foods can be made and left discretely in a location of the school where students can pick them up before going to class.

• Increase fundraising in the spring to ensure the budget is met for the fall; this allows the breakfast program to successfully start on the first day of school.

• For breakfast programs that are not “grab and go”, have students remain in the location designated for the program to avoid messes throughout the building.

• Look into a local “Adopt a Cop” program to see if the volunteer fee for the criminal record check could be waved.

• Only industrial toasters are allowed in schools, local food chains (i.e. Tim Horton’s) update theirs often and may have a used one to donate to your breakfast program.

• Alternative Education and Transition Learning Centres are eligible to apply for Breakfast for Learning funding and grants.

• Buy supplies (i.e. napkins) in bulk to save on money and the amount of trips to replenish them.

• If you are in an elementary school or middle school you qualify to apply for provincial fruit and vegetable grants. These healthy foods could be used towards your breakfast program.

• A breakfast program committee can assist in distributing the responsibility of a breakfast program more evenly. Such roles may include; a community liaison, a coordinator, an administrator, and committed parent volunteers.

• It is essential to show appreciation for and reward the volunteers. For an example; one school has a BBQ run by the students in which they invite volunteers and community sponsors to attend, as a way to thank them for making their breakfast program possible.

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• It is important for your breakfast program’s success to give back to your community sponsors. This can be done in a number of ways. Some examples are: having a company like Sobeys come into the school to discuss with students things like dress codes and accountability for a personal development career planning day; advertise for the company around the breakfast program location; have a volunteer each day come in from the company to volunteer with the breakfast program; allow them to advertise for summer student employment at their company; allow them to have scholarships for your students.

• Some grocery stores offer a “Cash back for gas” receipt in which you can take your receipt to a gas station and receive money off of your gas purchase. Arrange to have a box at the grocery store in which people who do not save their receipts can donate them. At the end of each month add up the amount of money to save on gas on the receipts, and trade them into the grocery store for gift cards instead of gas savings. Use these gift cards to purchase food for your breakfast program.

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USEFUL LINKS

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Breakfast Clubs of Canada. (2011). www.breakfastclubscanada.org

Breakfast for Learning. (2011). http://www.breakfastforlearning.ca

Community Business Development Corporation. (2011). www.cbdc.ca

Curriculum Services Canada. (2011). www.cirriculum.org

Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation. (2011). Fact check - poverty in New Brunswick. Government of New Brunswick. http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/esic/overview/content/fact_check_povertyinnewbrunswick.html#1

Evergreen. (2011). www.evergreen.ca

FoodShare Toronto. (2011). Three main recommendations for all three levels of government. In Policy Recommendations 2011. http://www.foodshare.net/foodPolicyrecommendations2011.htm

Human Development Council. (2010). Child poverty report card New Brunswick. http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/provincial/New%20Brunswick/2010Childand%20FamilyPovertyReportCardEnglish.pdf

Leeder, J. (2011). Teaching food literacy, one school lunch at a time. Globe and Mail.

Lesperance, E. (2006). 5 Important reasons your child should eat breakfast. The Diet Channel.

NB 2026. (2010). Learning: Everybody’s Project. http://learninginnb.ca/

New Brunswick Department of Education. (2008). Policy 711. http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pol/e/711A.pdf

Russel, J. (2004). Best practices for child nutrition programs: A review of the literature. http://www.childnutritioncouncil.com/best_practices_review0305.pdf.

United Commercial Travelers. (2011). www.utc.org

United Way. (2011). www.unitedwaycentral.com

Wells, K. (2005). Gay-straight student alliance handbook. Alberta Teachers’ Association.

World Health Organization. (1998). WHO information series on school health: Document four. Healthy nutrition: An essential element of health-promoting school. http://www.who.int/school_youth_health/media/en/428.pdf

References

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