School breakfast provides the consistent nutrition kids need to learn, grow and reach their full potential. Serving breakfast after the bell (BAB) can significantly boost the number of kids receiving the morning meal they need to learn.
There are many ways to make breakfast part of the school day with BAB. Three BAB models have demonstrated the most success in boosting participation are Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab and Go to the Classroom, and Second Chance Breakfast. The key to each of these models is that breakfast is served during the school day, after the instructional bell, in a place where students are together.
Traditional school breakfast programs often operate too early for students to participate, bus or carpool schedules do not allow them to get to school on time. Other students end up skipping breakfast because they do want to be ostracized for having low-income or lose out on time socializing with their friends.
BAB programs can look different in each school, often incorporating elements of multiple models to effectively reach their scholars. Learn more about our partners who currently operate BAB models in their school, what led them to adopt the program, and the impact it has had on their community.
Here are some highlights of school districts across California going above and beyond to reach kids with a morning meal:
- Desert Sands Unified School District, Riverside County
Andrea Cuellar, senior program manager for No Kid Hungry, spoke with NBC Palm Springs about the new Breakfast in the Classroom program at DSUSD. The program, which kicked off this school year, thanks to a $11,000 grant from No Kid Hungry, has shown an increase in breakfast participation. From 45% to a whooping 97%, this means more students are starting their school day with a nutritious breakfast! In light of the successful new breakfast in the classroom program at Kennedy Elementary School, KMIR spoke with School Nutrition Director Daniel Cappello, students and teachers. Watch the NBC Palm Springs Interview here with Cuellar. Watch the segment with the DSUSD community here.
- El Rancho Unified School District, Los Angeles County
In celebration of Women’s History Month, our incredible collaborator and school partner, Billie Saavedra, director of food services for El Rancho Unified School District was honored by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon as one of this year’s Distinguished Women of the Year for the 56th Assembly District. Saavedra is a strong proponent of breakfast having a real and powerful effect on students’ education and, through her leadership and advocacy, created a district-wide adoption of the Breakfast After the Bell program at all El Rancho Unified School sites. Participation at those sites went from an average of 75-80 breakfast to over 225 per site. In addition, she vigorously advocated for a Nutrition break to be implemented at all three middle school sites, increasing average participation from 40-50 to over 250 breakfasts per site. Saavedra is an exceptional woman, leader, advocate, and hunger hero.
- Fullerton School District, Orange County
In April, Fullerton Mayor and member of the Mayor’s Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, recognized the breakfast in the classroom program at Commonwealth Elementary. Presenting the certificate of recognition to Principal Jean Summy. At the end of 2023, Commonwealth Elementary became the first and only school in Orange County to operate this breakfast model. In this model, led by Nutrition Services Director Victor Trejo – nutrition services professionals pack nutritious breakfasts into insulated rolling bags that are picked up from the cafeteria by staff or students and delivered to the classrooms. On average, the process takes 10-15 minutes. During this time, students start their day calmly eating breakfast with their peers, and teachers often use this time for social-emotional check-in’s or grounding activities. Since launching this breakfast model, the impact has been felt across Commonwealth Elementary, from instruction and learning to behavior and attendance. In the first month of operation, the average breakfast served grew by 82 percent.
Ways You Can Help
You can ensure kids have the nutrition they need to thrive in and out of the classroom and reach their full potential in a variety of ways:
- Donate. $1 can help provide 10 meals* for kids. Your support will help us fund meal programs all over the country and help us advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need.” *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
- Speak up for kids. Reach out to your elected officials and ask them to do more to end childhood hunger. Tell your lawmaker to advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need.
Last updated: December 5, 2024