There are close to 60 children between the ages of 3 and 6 at CUPS every week day. They are enrolled in preschool and kindergarten at the Child Development Centre and ensuring they receive a healthy meal is paramount.

Sameer Deshpande is the Kitchen Manager at CUPS and is responsible for preparing nutritious meals for our youngest community members. He also supports our Family Development Centre (FDC) by helping their parents learn about food, and how to cook for their kids.

So far in 2021, CUPS has served more than 1,705 breakfasts, lunches and snacks to 57 children in the CDC.

Many children come to us from low-income families, and despite caregivers’ best efforts, may not be able to keep their kids fed. It’s often that the children come to class without yet having eaten. Food insecurity coupled with financial stress and access challenges are daily issues for those we serve.

Our CDC program supports learning, at a pace that works for the social, emotional, behavioural and educational challenges these children experience.

For Deshpande, the meals play an important role in providing integrated care for these young children.

“We try to give them as much nourishment as possible in the short time they’re with us, because we want to make sure that child gets everything they deserve and need to have.”

Lived experience with food insecurity

Deshpande experienced severe adversity while growing up in his birthplace of India due to the uncontrolled alcoholism of one of his parents. This affected family finances and led him and his siblings to often go to bed hungry, with only a pinch of salt and plain water to “kill the hunger.”

His grandfather could sometimes purchase vegetables for them and drop them off at their house.

“I can completely relate to what these kids go through,” says Deshpande, who is also a Red Seal chef. “It means everything; if I see one kid who has to go through the painful life I had, my goal is not complete.”

The meals we serve

Being well-fed supports our ability to act, think and perform in school and life. When we remove hunger as a toxic stressor, we are better equipped to succeed. As for the CUPS kitchen program, nutrition is everything.

With a clear focus on the Canada Food Guide, each child receives a protein, grain, fruits and vegetables on their plate to ensure they are getting solid, daily nutrition.

One recent breakfast paired scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast and fruit. Milk, for its vitamins and minerals, is part of breakfast and lunch at CUPS.

“There is such a requirement for our kids, and our families, to learn and understand what nutrition can do for them and their body,” says Deshpande. “The sooner the kids start, the better it is for their development.”

Kids benefit from consistently seeing a balanced meal and begin to identify when a vital part such as salad is missing. When food skills are taught at a young age, proper meals can become a norm.

Next up, lunchtime, and one recent meal the kids enjoyed was chicken and rice, steamed corn and peas, with fresh veggies and, yes, a salad. Even something as simple as teaching the kids the texture and taste of steamed veggies over fresh, is vital.

But, as fan favourite meals go, we’ve heard that Sameer’s spaghetti is famous.

Ingenuity in a challenging time

Organizations like CUPS are willing to extend hands in every way to support people.

At the onset of COVID-19, CUPS came up with a new plan when the organization was unable to prepare and provide meals in-person for the families and their children.

Food hampers from CUPS’ pantry, as well as the Calgary Food Bank, were delivered to people in need.

“It does matter when people are not able to access our services. It’s important for us to go to them and provide them a basic necessity. Food is a fundamental requirement of life.”

Keeping our young community members fed is a collaborative effort. Programs such as the Calgary Food Bank’s Food Link program, that supports 50 to 60 per cent of CUPS’ grocery requirements, is one of many partnerships that directly support our kitchen.

Individuals and organizations across Calgary, along with partner store discounts, allow us to help children build resilience for the future…with full bellies.