We are pleased to present the Brant Food For Thought Impact Report for 2021-2022. Link to the full report here: BFFT Impact Report 2021-2022 FINAL-no bleeds
Looking back over the past school year, a recurring thought comes to mind. As schools continued to grapple with the realities of COVID-19 and the fluctuations of any given day, there remained a constant–a school-based nutrition program that continued to support students at a time when they needed it the most. In the majority of nutrition programs, a lack of volunteer capacity was evident. My staff team and I were amazed at the school personnel who stepped up to fill the volunteer gap. School administrators, teachers and educational assistants alike saw the value of maintaining a nutrition program in their schools. Not only did the programs continue to provide students with equitable access to the most nutritious foods possible, it provided children and youth with a sense of the familiar, the comforting. We applaud the hundreds of educators who made the nutrition programs happen in their respective schools and who recognized the importance of continuing to support their students with nutritious foods during the school day, regardless of the challenges and the barriers. Brant Food For Thought says, “Thank You!” This report will showcase the tremendous effort of school staff to keep the programs going despite the challenges. We will share insights from our program evaluations on the impact of student nutrition programs on schools as a whole and on students individually. To all our funders and community supporters, my heartfelt thanks for your continued confidence and investment in maximizing the learning success of children and youth in Brantford and the County of Brant.
Gisèle Budgell, Program Director