Breakfast Today, Endless Possibilities Tomorrow: Desjardins Invests in Kids  

The first few years of life are a magical time, full of learning and discovery. It is also when eating habits tend to be formed, which in turn have a direct influence on health and well-being later in life. Unfortunately, many tots and toddlers begin their day on an empty stomach. But things are changing.  

In 2018, the Ministère de la Famille du Québec asked Breakfast Club of Canada to launch a breakfast program pilot project in educational childcare facilities. The initiative has been a tremendous success, and the program has since been given the green light to expand. Today, 36 childcare centres in the province are running a BCC-supported breakfast program, and the Desjardins Group has played a major role in making this happen.  

A meaningful commitment  

Desjardins believes strongly in the importance of helping children get a good start in life. This philosophy is backed by a $500,000 investment until 2026 to support the expansion of the program into more childcare centres. So far, nine new centres have been added to the list, bringing the total number of facilities served to 45. As a result, close to 400 more youngsters are getting a nutritional start to their morning.  

In several regions across Quebec, including Estrie, Lanaudière, Capitale-Nationale, Abitibi and Côte-Nord, and in four Indigenous communities, these meals make a tremendous difference. Not only do they help meet nutritional needs, but they expose children to healthy foods they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy, given how difficult and costly it can be to access food supplies in certain areas.  

Isabelle Garon, Executive Vice-President of Marketing, Communications, Cooperation and the President’s Office, explained how important this commitment is to Desjardins: 

“In Quebec, Breakfast Club of Canada has been doing a remarkable job for 30 years, and we are very proud here at Desjardins to support the expansion of breakfast programs into more childcare centres. By ensuring that children can start their day with the energy they need, we can make a tangible contribution to their growth and learning outcomes.” 

A meal, and so much more 

The benefits of this program extend far beyond the nutritional realm. Children who eat a nutritious breakfast in the morning are more likely to listen and stay focused longer in a childcare setting. Their moods are also more stable, making it easier for them to learn and play. Plus, they have more energy and interact more positively with their peers and educators. 

From a nutritional standpoint, the program exposes them to new foods, especially vegetables and fruits, and diversifies their diet. This is a first and important step toward developing healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. 

A real impact in childcare centres  

Daphney Blais, Director of CPE Mimi-Coco in Sherbrooke, Quebec, has seen several positive changes since a breakfast program was set up at her facility: 

“My staff knows how hard parents work and the sacrifices they make. So whatever we can do to ease their mental, financial and emotional burden, we’ll obviously do it. Before the Club started a breakfast program here, we weren’t able to meet our kids’ nutritional needs. But now, breakfast is our relaxed together time. Children can fill their bellies at their own pace. The Club has become an important part of our daily routine.” 

Thank you for helping us feed their future 

We are grateful to Desjardins for their generous support, which is vital to fuelling the bodies and minds of hundreds of children every day. Every breakfast is more than a meal: it’s yet another step closer to a brighter future.