“Breakfast After the Bell” model can increase breakfast participation by 88%, says No Kid Hungry Virginia.
by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
Caroline County Public Schools recently received a $9,750 grant from No Kid Hungry Virginia to strengthen its grab-and-go breakfast offerings.
The program provides breakfast options that students can pick up and take with them to eat in their classroom, said Keith Conner, supervisor of nutrition programs for the school division.
No Kid Hungry Virginia, an organization that works to combat childhood hunger in the U.S., announced the award of $251,675 to 12 school districts in Virginia to support Breakfast After the Bell and other programs under that umbrella.
These programs serve breakfast after the official start of the school day for students to consume in classrooms or in common areas.
“When breakfast is served after the bell, participation increases noticeably, as kids don’t miss out on a meal as a result of a tight bus schedule, a hectic morning at home or even stigma,” a press release about the grants from No Kid Hungry states.
Kids who eat breakfast and start the school day sufficiently nourished score higher on tests and miss fewer days of school, recent studies are more focused, score significantly higher on tests and miss fewer days of school, studies show.
Offering Breakfast After the Bell can increase breakfast participation up to 88% among students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, the press release states.
Conner said the breakfast program at Caroline High School has been growing since the grab-and-go breakfast model was first introduced several years ago.
“From only about 200 students a morning, we are now serving over 375,” he said. “Our goal is to see a 10 to 20% increase.”
He said the grant money will be used to purchase hot food holding and display equipment to expand the variety of hot foods on offer at breakfast.
In addition to Caroline, school districts in Alexandria City, Virginia Beach City, Allegheny Highlands and Buchanan, Buena Vista, Fairfax, Loudoun, Louisa, Montgomery, Shenandoah and Warren counties will receive funding for implementing or expanding Breakfast After the Bell programs.
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