Western Grocer Serving the industry since 1916
By: Brennah Doyle
Make Happy Tummies™ (formerly Toonies for Tummies™), launched in January 2025, is a grocery industry initiative focused on feeding children and making a huge difference for students on a national scale. The non-profit organization funds local nutritional school programs to ensure students are prepared for the day.
These programs receive funding through The Grocery Foundation’s annual gala, formerly known as the Night to Nurture, which is scheduled to return January 30, 2027, under its new name, The Make Happy Tummies™ Gala. The gala has been running for nearly 50 years and allows the foundation to raise funds for student nutrition programs, as well as through an annual grocery store fundraiser. Supported by a community of retailers, brands and industry partners, Make Happy Tummies brings purpose to a great industry.
“Humans connect through food, and this organization builds stronger relationships and a united classroom,” says Joe Fusco, senior vice-president, Metro Ontario Inc., and chair of The Grocery Foundation board.
Make Happy Tummies play a huge role in responding to the urgent needs in communities because the programs they fund are constant and available at the start of each school day. They consistently help children at school every day, so students can attend classes knowing they will be supported and nourished. In doing so, the organization aids in raising attendance levels in schools and provides vital funding and support to schools in over 3,000 communities nationwide. The program is growing increasingly universal and is open to all children.
“At Make Happy Tummies, we have the opportunity to nurture something truly special. Consistent trust and care have real-life impacts for families inside and outside the classroom,” says Simon Small, executive director of The Grocery Foundation board.
100% of funds raised by The Foundation through its gala and its Make Happy Tummies store fundraiser, which runs in over 1,700 grocery stores January-April each year, benefit local school breakfast programs.
“Engaging in The Foundation’s fundraising campaigns gives Canadian grocers, the brands that retail in their stores and companies supporting the industry an opportunity to unite to be actively part of the solution by providing in-school nutrition programs. Make Happy Tummies enables us to stand together, build a deeper connection and make a difference for programs at scale,” noted Small.
Today, The Grocery Foundation helps fund more than 3000 breakfast programs across the country, using the money that is raised to directly impact local communities. And throughout it’s nearly 50-year history, The Grocery Foundation has raised more than $125 million dollars.
“As an industry, we have the unique opportunity to reach children every school day when learning and development are happening. Together we can create a larger, more effective and immediate impact and a lasting difference in their future,” says Fusco.
The Make Happy Tummies 2026 campaign runs to the end of April. A kick-off for 2027, including ways to engage, will be held in May. Increasingly, companies are also bringing Make Happy Tummies into their employee-giving platforms so that everyone in the industry can support student nutrition and help address one of the country’s most pressing issues year-round. Visit makehappytummies.ca
