Monday, May 20, 2019
Hungry children find it difficult to concentrate and learn, making breakfast an integral part of every child’s day. We know that students who eat breakfast, including at school, can have better academic and behavioral outcomes (Food Research and Action Center 2016).
There are a variety of reasons children may not eat at home, such as lack of time in the morning, not being hungry, or having no food. All districts, no matter the financial demographics of their enrolled students and families, can consider serving breakfast. Many schools offer free breakfast to all students, regardless of family income.
Districts implementing successful School Breakfast Programs are highlighted in the Department of Public Instruction “Smarter School Breakfast” video, providing real examples to explain why many students want breakfast at school, along with methods for how it can be provided in an efficient manner without taking away instructional time.
Several resources to support schools interested in starting a School Breakfast Program are available:
- DPI Serving Up a Successful School Breakfast Program: A Guide for School Breakfast Implementation
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service Energize Your Day with School Breakfast toolkit
- DPI Breakfast in the Classroom brochure
- DPI Resources for the School Breakfast Program
- DPI Get School Breakfast for an A+ Boost web page
Already operating a school breakfast program at your site? The DPI can provide support for expanding and marketing your program. The USDA also provides information to measure the success of your school breakfast program, with helpful considerations for adjusting any problem areas.
For more information, visit the DPI Resources for the School Breakfast Program web page.
References
Food Research and Action Center. 2016. “Research Brief: Breakfast for Learning.” Accessed May 10, 2019. http://frac.org/wp- content/uploads/breakfastforlearning-1.pdf