Groups Promoting Classroom Breakfasts in School

From FRAC News Digest articles, Issue 11, March 12, 2007

Groups across the country are promoting classroom breakfasts through a variety of means.

The “got breakfast? ™” Foundation in partnership with Share Our Strength will offer grants available nationwide to schools interested in implementing a classroom breakfast. “Studies show that serving breakfast in the classroom breaks down many of the traditional barriers to getting students the most important meal of the day”, said Pat Nicklin of Share Our Strength.

ARAMARK, a national company that manages food services in schools, launched a new program “AMP Up with Breakfast.” The program features over 400 ‘grab and go’ products including fruits, wholesome hot foods, cereals, breakfast snacks, yogurt and juices appropriate for classrooms, cafeterias and portable stations.

In Wisconsin the Milwaukee Public School system is providing a free breakfast to all students, in the classroom, thus eliminating any stigma attached with the program and ensuring that all students are present when breakfast is available. The Milwaukee-based Hunger Task Force expects Wisconsin to be ranked in the mid-40’s on breakfast participation when last year it was last on the list of 50 states and the District of Columbia.