Good nutrition, including a wholesome breakfast, is integral to a child's academic performance and overall well-being. The resources below include Frequently Asked Questions, success stories and more.
Breakfast in the Classroom Resource Center
Visit the School Nutrition Foundation's web-based Breakfast in the Classroom resource center to find feasibility studies, financial planning data, and marketing and menu-planning ideas.
Students and teachers in Memphis, Tenn., show their enthusiasm for Breakfast in the Classroom in this video series. Check it out and see how the program could work for you.
Breakfast Grant Helps Make Rainbow Middle School Breakfast Program a Success
Laura Parker, Registered Dietitian and Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Supporter at Rainbow Middle School in Gadsden, Alabama, credits the support of the school’s principal, Tracy Cross, and the General Mills Child Nutrition Fitness Initiative (CNFI) Breakfast Grant for the 10% increase in participation in the school’s breakfast program. Last year’s participation averaged around 15%, but with the CNFI Breakfast Grant proceeds, changing the timing of the program and offering grab-n-go bagged breakfasts, participation is now over 25%. Laura says she expects even greater success for December, as the program was initiated a few days into the month, and school was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Laura notes that Principal Cross realized that students were not utilizing the previously designated first-period snack time for much more than standing around and talking. Understanding the connection between nutrition and academic success, Principal Cross decided to move the breakfast program to after students’ first class – and after they have had a chance to wake up, become alert and more engaged. Local Dairy Council support was also helpful to the program’s success. Jana Harland of SUDIA provided a cooler for milk, and grab-n-go breakfasts are now on the breakfast menu at Rainbow, replacing machines that were previously underutilized. Other nutritious options were added such as cereal bars with yogurt, granola bars with yogurt, low-fat string cheese and milk, and juice.
Curious about the commotion in the hallway where hundreds of kids were gathering for breakfast, teachers moved outside of their classrooms to join the effort. They volunteered to help the already committed lunchroom staff. The only challenges teachers and staff have come up against result from the success of the program. On the second day of implementation, they ran out of food, and because of the labor hours involved in working the program, the school may need to hire another staff member. Laura says she likes to think the school is doing its part to create jobs. They are surely creating a successful breakfast program!
Bring on Breakfast
These Fuel Up to Play 60 Plays highlight the fact that eating a nutritious breakfast may help students perform better on tests, improve daily attendance and participate more in class. They are designed to help make breakfast foods available outside the cafeteria. Try one in your school today!
School Breakfast: Improving Students' Minds and Bodies
A positive link between nutrition and learning has long been recognized. In fact, this concept underlies the federally supported School Breakfast Program (SBP). Unfortunately for many children, consuming a healthful breakfast is not part of their usual morning routine. For many children, the SBP is an important alternative to breakfast at home. Read more in this edition of Dairy Council Digest.
Former Super Bowl Champion Reminds Students to Fuel Up with Breakfast
Mike Compton, former New England Patriot and two time Super Bowl champion, sees the importance of breakfast everyday as football coach and physical education teacher for Patrick Henry High School in Glade Spring, Va. Listen to his messages about the importance breakfast:
We’re helping schools jump-start their breakfast participation with a free toolkit designed to engage students while serving up healthy eating messages.
Download your free kit now:
A colorful poster for use in hallways, classrooms and cafeterias
Ideas to encourage students to eat breakfast and make breakfast fun
The Southeast Dairy Association answers common questions about the benefits of taking breakfast outside the cafeteria with programs such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab ‘n’ Go Breakfast and Breakfast after 1st Period.
Look at how Expanding Breakfast programs, particularly Breakfast in the Classroom, have benefited students in participating schools. The case histories help sell in the program to a variety of audiences.
This report examines the performance of school breakfast programs in 29 large urban school districts during the 2009–2010 school year, with the goal of monitoring their progress in increasing school breakfast participation among low-income students. Learn details about the School Breakfast Program, including eligibility, participation and benefits.
This Expanding Breakfast fact sheet is a resource for communicating with teachers to introduce them to the new breakfast program and how it can improve student learning, performance and health.
This report examines the performance of school breakfast programs in 29 large urban school districts during the 2009–2010 school year, with the goal of monitoring their progress in increasing school breakfast participation among low-income students.
