How breakfast at school changed more than just my mornings—reflections a decade later

Some of my best memories from high school started early in the morning, long before the first bell rang and the Canadian anthem began to play. Mornings at Blakelock’s breakfast club, supported by Halton Food for Thought, were always a mix of quick boiled eggs, fruit smoothies, cereal, fun conversations, and cramming for tests. I didn’t realize in high school how much those mornings would shape the way I think about food, community, and the importance of something as simple as breakfast.

I started volunteering at Blakelock’s breakfast club because it was a great way to get involved with my school community. What started as a simple volunteer role transitioned into the role of program coordinator and became a lesson about the importance of access to healthy food, and how it can benefit a student’s day (and in so many cases, their future). Breakfast club not only provided students the nutrition they needed to learn, but also the community they needed to thrive.

The impact of Halton Food for Thought’s breakfast programs extends far beyond filling empty stomachs: research consistently shows that students who eat a nutritious breakfast perform better academically, have improved memory and cognitive function, and experience more positive experiences with their teachers and peers. Conversely, without a hearty meal to start the day, it has been shown that a student has reduced focus and energy levels, which can make learning difficult. I observed this firsthand—students left more engaged and ready for the day than they had been upon arrival in the morning.

Just as the nutrition provided by breakfast programs at Halton Food for Thought is important, so is the community the programs foster. They help create a sense of stability and inclusion for all¬, regardless of students’ at-home situation. During my volunteering experience at Blakelock, we worked hard to ensure our breakfast club was open to every student, not just those who “needed” it—as evidenced by the nearly 200 students who filled the cafeteria every morning.  It wasn’t just about the food; breakfast club was a place for students to start their day and connect with others in a welcoming, supportive, and up-beat environment.

Looking back, my experience at our breakfast program was far more than volunteering—it was the foundation for my passion in nutrition and health. I saw how something as simple as a meal at a breakfast program could change a student’s entire day—an experience that inspired me to pursue future undergraduate and graduate studies in health and nutrition. Now, as a PhD student, I study how diet can shape long-term health in even more complex ways, reinforcing what I witnessed firsthand: the power of food to influence well-being. Breakfast clubs supported by Halton Food for Thought are not just to fill stomachs—they support and develop healthy, resilient students, both physically and mentally.

This month—Nutrition Month—let’s celebrate the impact we’ve made so far and keep the momentum for these programs going. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, we can make sure every student in Halton has access to the food and community they need to thrive.

Fueling the Future Together,

Liam Rondeau

HFFT volunteer, T.A. Blakelock High School graduate, PhD Candidate at the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute at McMaster University

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