An independent cost-benefit analysis has measured the net economic contribution of school breakfast programs delivered through strong public, private and community partnerships across Canada. These findings highlight measurable long-term benefits and reinforce the relevance of stable, sustained investment, as Parliament has adopted Bill C-15, including the National School Food Program Act.
Commissioned by Breakfast Club of Canada, the country’s largest school food program provider, and conducted by economists at AppEco, the report concludes that, nationally, for every dollar invested in school breakfast programs supported by the Club and its community partners, nearly $2 is generated in economic and social benefits. School food programs anchored in strong community partnerships generate significant social and economic returns.
“This report confirms what we see every day on the ground: School food programs are not an expense; they are a long-term investment in children, families and communities,” said Julie Desharnais, President and Chief Executive Officer of Breakfast Club of Canada. “The data clearly demonstrate that when children begin their day with a full stomach, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom and deliver lasting value for society.”