Expanding Breakfast
Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. It provides essential nutrients and energy students need to grow and learn. Making simple changes to your school breakfast program--such as bringing it out of the traditional cafeteria setting--can dramatically increase participation and improve student nutrition. Expanding breakfast is about finding creative ways to serve this important morning meal while making it convenient for students and families!Grab 'n' Go Breakfast: Make breakfast fast and convenient by bringing it to a high-traffic area in the school, such as the main lobby. Packaging a reimbursable meal so that each student can pick it up on the way to class is a great way to improve participation!
Breakfast in the Classroom: Enjoying breakfast at the beginning of the day (often during "housekeeping" tasks, such as taking attendance) in the classroom is very popular and a great way to ensure that every student is getting the nutrients he or she needs!
Breakfast on the Bus: Breakfast can be easily packaged and enjoyed on the ride to school. Many students spend quite a bit of time on the bus; this is a great way to pass the time, keep the students busy and provide a healthy, reimbursable meal.
Breakfast After 1st Period: One of the biggest reasons that students go to school without eating breakfast is that they are not hungry first thing in the morning. Breakfast after 1st period (also called second chance breakfast) is a great solution to this problem. Breakfast can be offered grab 'n' go style in between classes so the students can pick it up on the way!
Useful tools for promoting your breakfast program:
Breakfast Club Mini-Poster
Breakfast Club Card
Benefits of Breakfast Mini-Posters
Breakfast Press Release Template
PA Announcements and Menu Blurbs
Monthly Breakfast Promotion Ideas
Great resources for implementing a breakfast program or improving an existing one:
Action Guide
Cold Breakfast Ideas
Hot Breakfast Ideas
Dairy Council Digest Issue on School Breakfast
Check out our newest presentation on how eating a healthy breakfast every day promotes optimal learning.
Nutrition and Academic Performance: More Than Just Breakfast on Test Days
Do you have logistical questions about starting or improving your breakfast program? Check out these frequently asked questions!
