Breakfast programs need a stigma-free environment continued from p.9 Guests heard a keynote address from Dr. Wayne Roberts, a Canadian food policy analyst and writer, who is widely respected for his past role as the manager of the Toronto Food Policy Council, a citizen body of 30 food activists and experts that continues to come up with innovative approaches to food security. He spoke about why it is important to "eat to learn, learn to eat" and incorporate meals into the school and life curriculum. Not only do school meals strengthen the mind-body connection by feeding the brain, which is a hungry muscle, but it allows children to be alert, attentive and to store, use and be creative with information, said Roberts. "It will help teachers be better teachers because they will spend less time disciplining," he added, noting being "hangry" -- a combination of hungry and angry -- can be distracting. "Food is a gateway to the curriculum," he said, noting some people learn the old-fashioned way, but others learn in alternative ways, such as participation and experience. Roberts continued by participating and experiencing a nutrition program, students are better able to solve problems, take instructions, pick up healthy habits and develop social skills. "All these things don't happen overnight," he said. "They happen because they're learning through food." Roberts also highlighted how meals allow students to exercise personal competency, prepare them for employment readiness training and normalize children's worth and voice. "We cannot have a society where social welfare speaks only to adults and never to children. Children have to have a voice," he said. "I'm so happy to see they are such an important part of today's event." Guests also heard from nutrition program volunteers, who shared their personal stories of participating in breakfast, lunch and snack programs. Oakville teen Katherine Bailey, who has been volunteering her time every school morning since she was in Grade 11 at T.A. Blakelock High School, boasted about how successful her school has been at creating an environment where students don't hesitate to take part in its breakfast program. The Grade 12 student noted 200 students attend the program daily, 1,000 a week, which is equivalent to 20-25 per cent of the school's population. That success hinges on seven factors, Bailey noted, explaining she's created a list to help others incorporate a successful nutrition program like her high school. You need support from the school community, the space to host it, recognition that the need exists, a teacher co-ordinator, a student co-ordinator, volunteers and a stigmafree environment," Bailey explained. "At our program, we always play upbeat music to encourage a positive atmosphere," she said. "Our volunteers engage in conversation with the attendees and sit down and eat breakfast themselves, every single morning." She said if a nutrition program is to be successful, it has to carry a message of inclusion. The gala also revealed the names of HFFT's new mascots -- Abi (apple), Brock (broccoli), Carron (carrot), Ollie (orange), and Pierre (pear) -- and details about The Great Big Crunch Day, a friendly challenge for all Halton schools to take part in on Oct. 13. For more information, visit www. haltonfoodforthought.com 13 | Thursday, May 12, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Compression soCks... Your legs will thank You! Oakville Burlington 380 Dundas St. E. 3350 Fairview St. T: 905.257.4335 T: 905.637.4335 WIN A $250 Gift Card to your favourite Dorval Crossing Store! Enter at www.dorvalcrossing.com Contest Ends August 31st, 2016 Over 60 Shops & Services located at the QEW & Dorval Drive Visit dorvalcrossing.com for more information