The benefits children receive from eating a nutritious breakfast are numerous and well documented. Many schools recognize this opportunity and offer breakfast in the cafeteria. But there’s an even better way to bring breakfast to children – using alternate service or expanding breakfast options. Offering breakfast in the classroom or outside of the cafeteria increases participation by providing service for children who arrive late and by helping to remove the potential social stigma that the program is meant for low-income students. 

Missouri’s 1^st Place Winner- $5,000
West Boulevard Elementary, Columbia Public Schools District
Food Service Director: Laina Fullum
Enrollment: 280
 

By implementing the grab-n-go breakfast program and offering breakfast at no charge, more than 50 percent of students at West Boulevard Elementary enjoy school breakfast daily.  “Teamwork has been the key to the program’s success,” according to Janie Garrett, Kitchen Supervisor.  Cafeteria staff prepare the breakfast items and bring them to the designated location on the second floor.  Teachers assemble the grab-n-go sacks and once the students arrive to school, the teachers encourage them and help them through the line.  Students then take their sacks to the classroom and enjoy their nutritious breakfast before starting their day.  According to the school principal, the new breakfast program has made mornings less hectic for students and parents.  Teachers report expanding breakfast has allowed more time for classroom learning and they have even noticed an improvement in attendance.  The school is using the award money to provide nutrition education lessons to classes, to purchase a new milk cooler for the grab-n-go line, and for promotions during National School Breakfast Week.
 

 Illinois’ Grand Prize Winner $4,000
DePue Elementary School, DePue District 103
Food Service Director, Elizabeth Fox
Enrollment: 347
 

DePue Elementary’s Breakfast Program is worth bragging about. Elizabeth Fox, Food Service Director, and Jennifer DeHoog, Dairy Council Nutrition Educator, were interviewed about the success of the program on a local radio station. Not only has DePue Elementary School witnessed a 26% increase in breakfast participation since implementing their exceptional expanding breakfast program, but students, teachers, and administration couldn’t be happier with the positive changes.  DePue Elementary didn’t stop with implementing grab ’n ’go breakfast, they also offer breakfast in the classroom when requested by the teacher.  In addition, to allow students more time to eat, relax and socialize, breakfast service time was changed to start thirty minutes earlier.  Teachers have witnessed an increase in test scores and less discipline problems.  The school is using the award money to purchase a new glass door merchandising milk cooler and a cooler display case for yogurt, cheese and fresh fruit.