Food First Foundation NWT is the regional arm of Breakfast for Learning, a national non-profit organization whose goal is to ensure that all children go to school well nourished and ready to learn. Food First Foundation, NWT raises funds to support healthy breakfast, lunch and snack programs in schools across the NWT and Nunavut. Recent studies indicate that Northern students are not consuming enough fruits, vegetables, dairy and other nutritious food for optimal health, growth and brain development.

Food First Foundation NWT is also the preferred charity of Canadian North and is the most important element of this initiative. Food First is the NWT arm of Breakfast for Learning, which raises funds to support healthy breakfast, lunch and snack programs in schools in the NWT. Food First also administers grants to breakfast programs in Nunavut. Recent studies indicate that Northern students are not consuming enough fruits and vegetables and many do not reach the daily dairy servings recommended by the NWT and Nunavut Food Guides.

When children are hungry, they cannot learn.

Inadequate nutrition leads to poor concentration, classroom behavioural issues, higher absenteeism, low self esteem and reduced scholastic success. Working with both the charity and our sponsors, Team Canadian North is committed to delivering a strong message about the issue of hunger and nutrition in the NWT and Nunavut.

Food First is dedicated to promoting, supporting, educating and advocating for the nutritional health of school aged children in the NWT. The goal of this organization is to ensure that all children go to school well nourished and ready to learn. In addition to raising funds for school meal programs, Food First Foundation, NWT supports Healthy School Food Policies and works to raise awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and active living.

Food First Foundation, NWT also mentors and works within Nunavut until such time that Nunavut forms its own Advisory Council.

The impact of poor nutrition in early life has a long reach.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis are nutrition-related and can be prevented or delayed when children are physically active and have regular access to nutritious food.

In addition to the health related effects of poor nutrition, many studies have linked healthy food and school success; good nutrition leads to better learning. When children are poorly fed they do not learn well; undernourished children miss more school, have trouble paying attention, and often disrupt their classrooms. Schools have recognized the immediate impact of the lack of nutritious foods in their students’ diets and have implemented feeding programs as an emergency solution. Unlike countries such as the Netherlands, Brazil and the Philippines, Canada has no national school feeding program.

Breakfast for Learning

In response to the absence of a national school feeding program, a group of concerned individuals formed BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING (BFL), a national non-profit organization that works to ensure that all children enter the classroom well-nourished and ready to learn. Food First Foundation, NWT represents BFL in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Through this partnership, Food First allocates Nutrition Grants for breakfast, lunch and snack programs in schools across the NWT and Nunavut. Every school in the NWT and Nunavut is eligible to receive a Nutrition Grant. Food First’s volunteer Board includes professionals from Nutrition, Education, and Health sectors as well as representatives from First Nations, students, teachers and members of Parent Advisory Committees.

This year Nutrition Grants are helping fund 20 healthy breakfast, lunch or snack programs across the NWT, providing food for over 1500 students on a daily basis. Food First Foundation, NWT also encourages school meal and snack programs to include nutrition education along with the food. In Nunavut, Food First financially supports 8 school programs daily providing healthy breakfasts for nearly 1600 students.

Food First Foundation, NWT relies on donations

Food First Foundation, NWT relies mainly on corporate sponsorship and private donations. Last winter, Canadian North committed to a three-year sponsorship of Food First activities, providing $30,000 in flights, cash and in-kind donations each year. As well, Canadian North’s involvement has created a number of opportunities to raise funds and awareness. Food First Foundation, NWT also works to match local businesses to individual schools in the hopes of creating sustaining partnerships.

One hundred percent of all donations given to Food First Foundation, NWT go directly to School Nutrition Grants in each territory. It costs, on average $2 to feed a student a healthy meal through a school program in the NWT and $3 in Nunavut; Even a small donation can help set a child up for a better day of learning.