BRANT FOOD FOR THOUGHT Annual Report 2016-2017 Index 02 Mission, Vision and Core Values 03 Message from the President 04 Message from the Program Director 05 Student Nutrition Programs Statistics 06 Student Nutrition Programs Locations 07 Thank You to our Generous Donors & Sponsors 08 Highlights from the Year 2016-2017 09 Financial Report from the Treasurer 10 Staff and Board of Directors 11 Funders and Major Contributors 1 Mission Statement Brant Food For Thought is a not-for-profit registered charity that contributes to a child’s ability to learn by facilitating and supporting Universal Student Nutrition Programs in elementary and secondary schools in Brantford, the County of Brant and Six Nations of the Grand River. Vision Statement We envision healthy and vibrant school populations supported by thriving community partnerships. Core Values 1. Nutrition is a fundamental determinant of healthy child development. 2. Good nutrition positively affects a child’s ability to learn. 3. Universal Student Nutrition Programs should provide equitable access to the most nutritious foods possible. 4. The community has a collective responsibility for the well-being of our children. History Since 1998, Brant Food For Thought has been supporting the healthy development of children and youth in our community to arrive at school well-nourished and ready to learn, by facilitating healthy breakfast meals and nutritious snacks to students before, during and after the school day, served within safe and nurturing environments. We provide support to universal Student Nutrition Programs through financial resources, public awareness, networking and fundraising opportunities, volunteer skills training and recognition. 2 Message from the President The 2016-2017 program year was filled new community partnerships, a stronger governing Board and greater measures to supporting quality standards for universal student nutrition programs. Brant Food For Thought programs continue to provide, not only the nutritional support that students need for the school day, but sound nutritional modelling of the most nutritious food choices that support their healthy development and contribute to a child’s ability to learn to their full potential, now and for the future. Our strategic direction is focused on four key organizational messages: 1. Universal access to student nutrition programs provides a welcoming, non-stigmatizing environment for all students to participate in versus providing nutrition to marginalized target groups only. 2. Programs model the most nutritional food choices available for children and youth to support the nutrition environment at the school and to provide an opportunity for participants to transfer their nutrition knowledge and skills to the home environment. 3. Community partnerships and volunteerism are key components to program sustainability and success. 4. We are committed to being accountable to our donors and to the public and to share the collective good work of the organization. The Board of Directors have focused this past year on strengthening their governance model, ensuring proper policies are in place, updating the by-laws and terms of reference of the organization. We welcomed back a previous Board member and added two new school principals to the Board table. The strength of our programs has always been the dedicated support of more than 500 educational and community volunteers who invest their caring and hours of volunteer service in student nutrition programs. Our volunteers have our unending thanks and appreciation for their contribution of time and talent. They are making a real, positive difference for so many young people in Brantford and in the County of Brant. We were pleased to recognize so many dedicated multi-year volunteers at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation event in May and celebrating program successes at the 8th Annual Breakfast For Champions breakfast gala. As we move into the future, our partnership continues to provide strong leadership and direction for the organization, navigating challenges as needed, creating efficiencies in programming, forging new partnerships and embracing opportunities for growth. Brant Food For Thought has gone digital, using their online social media platform to share the great work of the organization, along with program successes and the extraordinary contributions of our volunteers. As we approach our 20th year of supporting and facilitating universal student nutrition programs in our communities, we will continue to build awareness of the need for student nutrition and to strengthen our community and donor relationships to maintain and expand our endeavors in the future. Sherron Birkett, Board President 3 Message from the Program Director Brant Food For Thought enjoyed another successful school year in 2016-2017 facilitating and supporting universal student nutrition programs and services in our community. With the ongoing support of funders and generous donors, along with the tireless commitment of more than 500 dedicated volunteers and educational staff, Brant Food For Thought was able to support 60 individual student nutrition programs with over 10,000 students benefitting weekly from a healthy breakfast or nutritious snack. Our amazing volunteers are the driving force of nutrition programs. In May of 2016, Brant Food For Thought and Platinum Sponsor Investors Group, hosted the 8th Annual Breakfast For Champions, our signature charity breakfast gala held at the sponsored New Covenant venue. This year’s event did not disappoint and boasted lots of carrot appeal. Guest speakers, Rebecca Sherbino and Colleen Graham of the Raw Carrot Soup Entreprise delighted our audience with their story of creating meaningful employment for adults on social disability, along with delicious signature gourmet soups for the retail market. Our carrot and apple mascots were on hand for the event and guests were treated to photo opportunities with the mascots at the photo booth in the foyer, courtesy of Edge Imaging. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of our event sponsors, and all the generous businesses and community donors who support annually. The culture of giving is still alive in our community. Our program focus this past year was to create efficiencies within student nutrition programs and help our program volunteers achieve greater compliance with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services – Student Nutrition Program Nutrition Guidelines. In October of 2016 and based on successful pilots in the previous year, Brant Food For Thought launched (2) new nutrition initiatives: the School Fresh Produce Box program and the White Milk program. These programs were designed to help build volunteer capacity within a student nutrition program where shopping for large quantities of white milk and fresh produce was a challenge. This innovative approach to food procurement helps eliminate financial barriers to program success and provides the convenience of food delivered directly to a school. Local produce supplier, Forte Produce, and Crown Dairy, based out of Guelph, have partnered with Brant Food For Thought to provide high quality, fresh, local and Ontario grown produce and white milk, delivered directly to schools at a fair price. The City of Brantford – City Grant, facilitated by the Brant Community Foundation, provided a $10,000 grant, enabling us to purchase (3) double sliding door refrigerators to provide adequate and safe storage of milk and fresh produce in schools participating in the nutrition initiatives. The 11th Annual Holiday Gift Wrap Booth, held during the month of December and until the 24th at the Lynden Park Mall, is the other signature fundraiser, and generated the highest sales to date in support of Brant Food For Thought and student nutrition programs. A total of 376 volunteers from 37 nutrition programs and from the community logged over 1,036 volunteer hours to support our cause. Participating nutrition program volunteers were remunerated in “nutrition program dollars” for 858 hours contributed to running the gift wrapping booth. We applaud them for their dedication and sincerely appreciate their efforts in making this an annual success. Brant Food For Thought continues to maintain strong partnerships with our Lead Agency, Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, the City of Brantford, and the Brant United Way, along with our national partners, Breakfast For Learning and Breakfast Club of Canada. We have strengthened our communication strategy to share our impact in the schools and how the organization is making a real difference for children and youth in our community. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Directors and the agency staff for their dedication and contributions to our mission—together we make a great team! I look forward to the upcoming school year with optimism as we invest in our children and youth today for a healthy and vibrant community tomorrow! 4 Gisèle Budgell, Program Director Student Nutrition Programs - Statistics “A student in my class almost never brings any kind of fruit or vegetable in his lunch. Each day, he is happy to select a fruit or vegetable from the bin in addition to other items! His lunch is very small--usually two starchy items like crackers and a sweet. The Snack bin may provide the only fruit or vegetable he ever gets.” School Teacher Breakfast and Early Morning Meal Programs Provide a healthy start to each day by ensuring nutritious choices from 3 or 4 food groups, with fruit, vegetables, milk products and wholesome grains.