Massilly North America fuels student success

A gift from Massilly North America is making sure Laurier students in Brantford start their day nourished and ready to learn. 

The Brantford-based manufacturer recently gifted $5,000 to support the Brantford Breakfast Bar, a program offered at the Wellness Hub in One Market. The Breakfast Bar provides students with free coffee, tea, fruit, bagels, baked goods and other food items, including vegan and gluten-free options. 

By providing reliable access to nutritious food, the program helps address food insecurity while creating a welcoming space where students can connect, build friendships and start their day together. 

For Massilly North America, the gift reflects the company’s commitment to invest in the community it has called home since relocating to Brantford more than a decade ago. As the company continues to grow locally, it sees supporting students as an important part of its broader social responsibility and investment in Brantford’s future. 

“Students bring the energy that makes Laurier Brantford so vibrant. Achieving educational goals requires proper nutrition, and rising grocery prices shouldn’t hold anyone back,” says Trish Vogel, Vice-President, People and Culture at Massilly North America. “At Massilly, we believe in giving back to the community that supports us. We’re proud to sponsor the Laurier Breakfast Bar and provide students with the nutrition they need to stay focused every single day.” 

Food insecurity can create an additional barrier for postsecondary students already balancing the demands of academics, work, caregiving responsibilities and other financial pressures. Having access to a nutritious morning meal can help students begin their day with the energy and focus they need for learning while reducing some of the stress associated with the cost of food. 

In the 2024/25 academic year, the Breakfast Bar provided 1,574 meals to students, making it a valued source of both nourishment and connection on the Brantford campus. 

“Great achievements start with a strong foundation,” says Garnet Lasby, President of Massilly North America. “By taking food insecurity off a student’s plate, we’re removing potential social barriers to success. We want Laurier students to feel secure, nourished and completely focused on building their futures.” 

For Massilly, supporting the Breakfast Bar is ultimately an investment in the potential of Laurier students and the community they are helping to build. 

“Massilly North America’s support will make a meaningful difference for students who rely on the Breakfast Bar,” says Jason Coolman, Vice-President: Advancement & External Relations at Laurier. “We’re grateful for the company’s commitment to student well-being and its ongoing investment in the Brantford community.”