No Kid Hungry NC recommends that every school implement one of the following methods of serving breakfast, collectively known as Breakfast After the Bell, or a hybrid of these models tailored for the specific needs of the school:
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.
Schools reach up to 88% breakfast participation on average with this model.
Students pick up conveniently packaged breakfasts from mobile service carts in high traffic areas such as hallways, entryways or cafeterias. Students can eat in the classroom or elsewhere on school grounds before and after the bell has rung. Grab and go is most effective when carts are stationed in locations convenient to students (e.g. near school entrances) and when students are able to pick up the food from the carts and eat in the classroom.
Schools reach 59% breakfast participation on average with this model.
Students eat breakfast during a break in the morning, often after first period or midway between breakfast and lunch. Schools can serve breakfast in the same manner as they would with Grab and 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.
Schools reach 58% breakfast participation on average with this model.