Welcome back to our blog series, the No Kid Hungry New York Partner Spotlight. Each month, we’ll be speaking to our partners across the state, learning what’s new in their school meals programs, and celebrating the tremendous work they do to ensure that more kids have access to the the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive. This month, we’re kicking off the new year by featuring two great breakfast programs. We heard from Bruce Tanner at Amani Public Charter School, a 5-8 school in Westchester County, and Hector Rodriguez and Josh Lopez at AECI Charter High School, a charter school network in the Bronx focusing on architecture, engineering, and construction industries.
Can you describe your community and school district? What do you love about where you live and work?
Amani: We are predominantly an African American community, with many of our families originating from the Caribbean.
AECI: AECI operates two high schools in the Bronx, with a middle school opening in 2025. Our schools are unique in that our architectural program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enrich students’ classroom learning and prepare them for real-world participation in the field of architecture. Our school, curriculum, community, and food service program are unique and I love being a part of offering all of these to our AECI students.
What are some of the challenges you’re facing right now in your school meals program?
Amani: Unfamiliar food. Young kids [are not] generally curious to try new foods. […] They love the food they know. When a student tries something new and likes it, it’s very rewarding. They all love having whole fresh fruit available.
AECI: Getting the kids to stop thinking school lunch is not cool.
What’s new in breakfast in your school meals program this year?
Amani: More hot food items. Waffles, pancakes, egg sandwiches!
AECI: Thanks to a No Kid Hungry grant, we have been able to add a smoothie station to our breakfast service and have seen a huge increase in breakfast participation. Adding a smoothie station and marketing signage to our breakfast area has really made students excited about school breakfast. The smoothies add color to our breakfast serving line and really brightened up the cafeterias! It can be tricky to get high school students to participate in and be excited about breakfast and we’re so proud of what our program has accomplished!
What about your breakfast program are you particularly proud of?
Amani: We are proud of our increased participation due to implementing Breakfast after the Bell. A fueled body is a fueled mind.
AECI: I’m proud that we offer free breakfast to our students every day and that we offer a program that students enjoy. We participate in the Community Eligibility Program with a high number of directly certified students. It is important to us as a school community to provide free meals for our students. As a whole, we’ve increased our breakfast count by at least 60%.
If you could tell everyone in America something about school breakfast, what would you tell them?
Amani: Many kids in America do not get a chance to eat a wholesome, enjoyable, and well-balanced breakfast. It’s the key to the start of the day.
AECI: School breakfast is so important, especially for high school students. Offering a breakfast that students enjoy and want to eat sets them up for success throughout their school day. Breakfast helps students feel energized for their day and focus throughout their morning classes. A lot of thought is often put into school lunch, but it is just as important that students enjoy school breakfast.
At No Kid Hungry New York, we thank Bruce, Hector, Josh, and the food service staff members at Amani Public Charter School and AECI Charter High School for their dedication and enthusiasm in feeding kids throughout the school year. We’re grateful to support their work and honored to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary programs!