Souper Stars was created in 2002 in response to the need in our community to help combat the startling statistics of child obesity and child hunger. The poverty rate in Canada's children had at that time risen to one in five. Currently over 30,000 children a day go to school without a lunch.

The Souper Stars Program teaches children in grades 4 to 6 how to attain a safer and healthier lifestyle. The program covers personal hygiene, basic nutrition, kitchen and food safety, grocery shopping, etiquette and vegetable and lunch preparation. In a series of nine weeks taught to 30 classes in twenty-four Calgary public, Aboriginal and separate schools each year, children actively participate in simple food preparation, learn how to make healthy food choices and to feel more confident in the kitchen. The program is designed to build self-esteem in children by affirming, edifying and equipping them with life skills and confidence in their personal abilities. Group dynamics, social skills and positive self-image are developed along with their nutritional education.

The school nurse teaches the importance of personal hygiene, hand washing and how to make healthy food choices using Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

Souper Stars staff, practicum students and community volunteers help facilitate the nutrition, kitchen and food safety, grocery shopping, vegetable preparaton, lunch preparation and etiquette classes taught by the Community Kitchen Program Coordinator.  Often we challenge the students to practice at home what they learn in Souper Stars.  Proper table setting, shopping smart and knife safety have had the most outstanding results. (Photo to the right: A student set the table for Thanksgiving dinner).   

At the end of each class, the children are presented with a healthy snack and bottled water, milk or juice provided by Souper Stars Program.

Upon completion of the series of classes, a graduation class is held to celebrate the children's success and new-found knowledge. Diplomas and prizes are distributed throughout the class as an acknowledgement that they have completed the program and now are educated in many aspects of nutrition.

If you work at a school and are interested in having the Souper Stars Program please contact either:

Lindsay Marr at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Souper Stars Program Coordinator

Chantal Decelles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Souper Stars Program Assistant Coordinator

A special thank you to the following for your help to see this program succeed:

• Wild Rose Foundation
• Show Kids You Care
• Calgary Herald Christmas Fund
• United Way
• Foresters
• The Calgary Hitmen
• AOR
• Data Group of Companies - Sundog
• Jack Astor's
• Anonymous Donors

WELCOME to Child Find Alberta joining the Souper Stars Program. Your involvement will be greatly beneficial to our program!