One of the most effective ways to make sure kids are starting their day right with breakfast is to make it a part of the school day. Traditional school breakfast programs sometimes operate too early for students to participate, particularly if bus or carpool schedules do not allow them to get there on time. Fortunately, there are innovative models of serving school breakfast that have already proven to be successful in expanding access to this critically important meal. They are:
Breakfast in the Classroom
Breakfast in the Classroom is a service delivery model where students eat breakfast in their classroom after the official start of the school day. Students or staff may deliver breakfasts to classrooms from the cafeteria via coolers or insulated rolling bags, or school nutrition staff can serve breakfast from mobile carts in the hallways. Breakfast in the Classroom typically takes 10–15 minutes and can happen during morning tasks such as attendance or it can be integrated with other instructional activities. Some schools encourage teachers to participate in the program and eat with their students.
Grab N’ Go
Grab N’ Go is a service delivery model where students pick up conveniently packaged breakfasts from mobile service carts in high traffic areas, such as hallways, entryways or cafeterias, when they arrive at school or between classes. Students can eat in the cafeteria, the classroom or elsewhere on school grounds. The Grab n’ Go model is often used in middle and high schools because it is so flexible and can accommodate varying schedules and students who are on the move.
Second Chance Breakfast
Second Chance Breakfast refers to a meal service model where students eat breakfast during a break in the morning, often after the first period or midway between breakfast and lunch. Schools can serve breakfast in the same manner as they would with traditional Grab N’ Go breakfast. This model can be particularly effective for older students who may not be hungry first thing in the morning or may opt to hang out with friends. Second Chance Breakfast may be referred to by a variety of names, such as Breakfast After First Period, School Brunch or Mid-Morning Nutrition Break.
These are common sense solutions that No Kid Hungry has long advocated for and invested in to improve access to school breakfast. They remove barriers that prevent kids from eating breakfast before school starts, like rushed mornings, bus schedules and even stigma.