The Grocery Foundation's Simon Small on celebrating impact with 2027 Make Happy Tummies Gala
For nearly 50 years, The Grocery Foundation has worked to support children who arrive at school hungry. Today, it supports more than 3,000 student nutrition programs across Canada. Its annual fundraising gala—formerly known as Night to Nurture and now renamed Make Happy Tummies Gala—takes place in Toronto on Jan. 30, 2027, with the accompanying retail fundraising campaign running through April.
Canadian Grocer spoke with TGF executive director Simon Small—who joined the organization in October 2025—about the importance of industry collaboration, the impact of student nutrition programs, and how retailers, suppliers and consumers can help make difference.
One year into your role at The Grocery Foundation, what has stood out to you the most about the organization’s work and impact?
The history of the organization is profound. Its impact can be measured in the $125 million that has been donated over 47 years. But the commitment of people in the industry and the greatness of the food industry to come together is definitely the biggest lesson that I have had. Make Happy Tummies is a movement and a commitment of organizations to come together and have an impact greater than any one organization can have on their own. That’s so near and dear to the whole purpose we exist for—providing nourishment to Canadians. It’s humbling to be a part of. The Canadian food industry is a beautiful place, and one with a big heart. We’re fortunate to be perhaps the brand of that heart and the demonstration of that heart and purpose.
Why is addressing childhood food insecurity important to you personally, and what motivates your involvement in this work?
Feeding children literally is a generational commitment to the future. If you were to read the mission statements of food and beverage companies, it’s about providing, nourishing and caring.
I am a father and I remember my days as a student. When you read the statistics and put yourself in a classroom and realize the little thing of having breakfast every day to maximize the chances of someone showing up, being prepared to learn, grow, and thrive—that is the beginning of it all. And they are such a vulnerable population. For us to put the stamp that says we will lean into childhood hunger as a food industry together has profound meaning to me. Every child deserves a chance.
READ: Monthly food bank visits soar to record 2.35 million in Canada, report finds
What is your vision for the 2027 Make Happy Tummies gala?
It’s a celebration of the industry coming together. There are so many sponsors in every single seat. The quick math is that for every seat, you can take care of a child for a year. That’s meaningful. So, one night has a lasting impact.
But more than the impact measured in one child’s future, it’s about a commitment to do more together. I’m delighted that it’s called Make Happy Tummies. It’s a future-looking statement of optimism.
Ultimately, [the goal] is to leave the event feeling proud of the work done and committed to the future. It is regrettable that the amount of work that Canadian communities need to address hunger for children at schools is growing, and we need to grow with that to meet that demand.
A big part of the fundraising is the retail store campaign. What can grocers and consumers expect this year?
It’s a call to action for both the sponsors, being the manufacturers, and the retailers that bring it to life to work as best as we can together, because wholeheartedly, Canadians care.
Canadians recognize that [some people] are hurting more, and those who can are willing to give because they recognize it’s an investment in their communities and children’s futures. Therefore, it’s our obligation to come together to mobilize the Canadian population. We are only as good as our retail execution.
There are so many amazing individuals working inside the grocery stores across the different organizations that support us, who take such pride in bringing Make Happy Tummies to life in stores. You can see the resounding impact this has on Canadians’ willingness to support us. Last year, the campaign raised approximately $5.5 million with the promise that 100% of those proceeds will go to supporting student nutrition programs in their communities. So, it’s our job to be clear, let it resonate and celebrate the impact.
