At No Kid Hungry New York, we believe every child deserves a strong start to their day—and that begins with a healthy breakfast. As we celebrate National School Breakfast Week (check out our updated National School Breakfast Toolkit with Hunger Solutions New York) , we’re highlighting the critical role that school breakfast programs play in ensuring that all kids have access to the nutrition they need to succeed.
For many students in New York, school breakfast is more than just a meal—it’s an essential lifeline that helps them succeed. Research shows that kids who eat a nutritious breakfast perform better academically, have improved attention and behavior, and are more likely to graduate. We know that when students are well-nourished, they’re more likely to show up, more likely to stay engaged, and more likely to succeed.
That’s why No Kid Hungry New York encourages schools to explore Breakfast After the Bell. Breakfast After the Bell, where breakfast is served after the official start of the school day, is one of the most effective ways to significantly boost school breakfast participation. Breakfast After the Bell shifts the time breakfast is served so that it’s a part of the school day, like lunch, and moves breakfast from the cafeteria to where students are, like classrooms and common areas.
These Breakfast After the Bell models have proven to be the most effective at meeting the needs of students:
- Breakfast in the Classroom – Breakfast is served in the classroom and eaten in the classroom.
- Grab and Go Breakfast – Breakfast is served from one or more central locations and consumed in the classroom or a common area
- Second Chance Breakfast – Breakfast is served between 1st and 2nd periods, usually via Grab and Go to the classroom or common area, or by reopening the cafeteria and allowing students time to eat before they return to class.
Learn more about Breakfast in the Classroom in our upcoming webinar with Hunger Solutions New York on April 29th at 10 am! The session will include a live Q & A with the NYSED Child Nutrition team on tips for breakfast service and strong program integrity.
Interested in learning more about implementing Breakfast After the Bell and gaining buy-in from key stakeholders at your school? Visit the No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices for more resources!