FORT SIMPSON - Tonya Cazon is looking for at least nine students from Bompas elementary school who would like to have a nutritional breakfast three times a week.

The students would be part of the Bompas Eat Smart Breakfast program, an initiative by the Brighter Futures program of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson.

Tonya Cazon displays some of the healthy foods like fruits, granola bars and milk that will be part of the Bompas Eat Smart Breakfast program. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, students registered with the program would receive a breakfast between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. at the school. Food items could include egg sandwiches, homemade granola bars, French toast, breakfast cookies and the occasional fruit smoothie.

The goal of the program is to help students to do better in school, be healthier and have better life outcomes in the long run, said Cazon, co-ordinator of the Brighter Futures program.

But unless enough students are registered the program won't run.

So far six children have signed up but at least 15 are needed to make the program economically feasible, said Cazon. There has to be enough students to equal out the cost and number of groceries. The program can accommodate up to 30 participants.

"We're all ready to go. We just need to know how much food to order," said Cazon.

With a number of organizations donating food and funds, the program fee for parents is $50 per child. If families can't pay the fee they can help instead by volunteering time or making food, Cazon said.

About six years ago the school tried a breakfast program which was run for a year before being shut down because teachers ended up being responsible for the work, said Terry Jaffray, the school's principal.

Having a breakfast program is, however, beneficial, said Jaffray. Some students arrive at school without having breakfast for a number of reasons. Many aren't hungry when they get up but become hungry later or simply didn't get up in time to eat.

Students who've had a filling breakfast can do better in their classes, she said.

"You can see a difference when kids are rested and fed," said Jaffray.

While the program's immediate effect will be to fill student's stomachs, Cazon points out many side benefits.

Eating a proper breakfast from all four food groups helps promote healthy eating and can prevent a number of diseases including diabetes, said Cazon.

"Learning how to eat healthy is a real skill," she said.

Skills the students learn at the program can be transferred to their families because parents will be provided with the recipes used at the program.

The program will also save some families time and money. Grocery bills rise when you buy healthy food and it can take longer to prepare, said Cazon.

"I know as a parent how hard it is to make sure your kids eat healthy when you have limited time in the morning," she said.

The program has hired a cook to make the healthy meals and has a temporary co-ordinator although a permanent one is being sought, said Cazon.

If enough students are registered, the program will start on Feb. 5.