Record Number of Canadian Students Face Hunger as School Year Begins

As the school year commences across Canada, a rising number of students are expected to access breakfast programs, highlighting a growing concern over food insecurity. The Breakfast Club of Canada, the nation’s largest provider of school meals, reports an unprecedented increase in attendance at its supported breakfast programs. Data indicates that approximately one in three children in Canada is currently experiencing food insecurity, placing further pressure on organizations like the Breakfast Club of Canada.

Francois Jolicoeur, director of programs at the Breakfast Club, noted a significant rise in participation, stating, “Since the pandemic, we’ve seen more than a 30 percent increase in program attendance.” This statistic translates to at least 30 percent more children needing breakfast at schools each morning. The impact of rising inflation and tariffs has compounded the challenge, with the cost of running these programs increasing significantly.

Currently, the organization and its partners serve around 650,000 children daily. Despite this effort, Jolicoeur estimates that approximately 800,000 children remain without access to their programs. He emphasized the critical need for every child to have a nutritious meal to start their day, regardless of their circumstances. “I challenge everyone that’s listening to us to just try and not have breakfast in the morning and go to work and not eat until 12 o’clock and see how that works for them in terms of, ‘Am I productive? Do I have the right level of attention?’ That’s also true for kids,” Jolicoeur remarked.

Tommy Kulczyk, president of the Breakfast Club, reinforced the notion that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. He stated, “Behind these numbers lies immense potential — talents, voices, and dreams are at risk due to a lack of access to nutritious food.” While acknowledging that breakfast programs are not a comprehensive solution to food insecurity, he highlighted their importance as a beneficial intervention for thousands of students throughout the school year.

Contrary to some perceptions that link a child’s hunger to parental negligence, Jolicoeur points out that various factors contribute to this issue. “It’s a wrong shortcut to say that a kid that shows up on an empty stomach in the mornings means negligent parents, because it’s not the case,” he explained. He further noted that many parents do not intend to send their children to school hungry, and the reasons for food insecurity can be varied and complex.

Funding for these breakfast initiatives comes primarily from private donations, although provincial governments also contribute. Earlier this year, the Canadian government announced a significant investment of $1 billion over the next five years for a national school food program. While Jolicoeur views this funding as a positive step, he insists it does not eliminate the pressing needs faced by their organization.

In light of the growing demand, the Breakfast Club of Canada is urging individuals, particularly those in Ontario, to support their efforts through donations. Contributions can be made via their website or by texting “CLUB” to 20222. Additionally, the MTY Foundation has committed to matching all donations made until October 31, 2023.

“I believe that feeding kids is everyone’s business,” Jolicoeur concluded, emphasizing the shared responsibility in addressing child hunger in Canada. As the school year progresses, the Breakfast Club of Canada continues to advocate for children’s right to a nutritious start to their day, aiming to bridge the gap for those in need.