Appendix:

The following statistics and studies reinforce the relevance of the program, as well as the fact that a well-executed evaluation is meant to improve this greatly-needed program. Moreover, the if/then statements that are outlined in the Program Theory are inextricably tied to the information below:

• Food insecurity - the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints - is a serious public health problem in Canada. It negatively impacts physical, mental, and social health, and costs our healthcare system considerably. (PROOF, 2011)

• Ninety-three per cent of teachers agree that hungry children are more disruptive in class. (Vomiero, 2007)

• The impact of food insecurity on health extends beyond diet and nutrition. (PROOF, 2011)

• On average, teachers estimated that children who come to school hungry lose up to two hours a day due to lack of productivity – that’s one-third of the school day or almost four months in a school year. This equates to more than four years of a child’s school career from Kindergarten to Grade 12. (Vomiero, 2007)

• When schools do not provide breakfast to children, the loss of return on educational investment becomes a hidden tax paid by the local district and community. (Brown et al., 2008)

• When a child misses even one meal, let alone experiences chronic food shortages, impairments occur whether they be lethargy and inattention, tiredness and distraction, or actual physical symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches. The research shows that feeding children breakfast in school helps to prevent these adverse outcomes. (Brown et al., 2008)

• The better outcomes associated with school breakfast include both educational preparedness (attendance, energy, alertness, memory) and educational outcome measures (math scores, grades, reading ability) (Brown et al., 2008)

• Research has established yet a third benefit of the School Breakfast Program. Students who participate have been found to have fewer discipline problems, manifest less aggression and violence, and show significant improvements in social behaviour and general psychosocial functioning. (Brown et al., 2008)