Get Clued In to National School Breakfast Week: Cracking the Code to Student Success 

Why We Celebrate National School Breakfast Week  

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) hosts National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) to highlight the significance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. Held annually during the first week of March, NSBW emphasizes the critical role that the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) plays in providing over 12 million healthy meals daily to students across the United States. This year’s theme, “Clue In to School Breakfast,” brings an element of fun and excitement to the cafeteria, encouraging students to start their day with a healthy meal. 

A nutritious school breakfast provides students the energy they need to start their day on the right foot. According to the School Nutrition Association, students who eat school breakfast achieve 17.5% higher scores on standardized math tests and attend 1.5 more days of school per year. Eating a nutritious breakfast has also been linked to improved academic performance, better concentration, and enhanced memory, which are all vital for learning. National Institute for Health (NIH) research says this can positively impact students’ behavior and mood, reducing absenteeism and tardiness. By ensuring that every student has access to a balanced breakfast, schools can create an environment where all students are prepared to succeed academically and socially. 

Delivering an Amazing School Breakfast Experience 

Across the country, school districts innovate and enhance their breakfast programs every day to ensure students have access to nutritious and appealing meals. From rolling out mobile serving carts to unveiling new menu options and special events, they’re making school breakfast accessible, delicious, and fun. It’s about more than providing food—leveling up school breakfast creates an experience that students look forward to each morning. 

Here’s how a few districts cracked the code to creating an engaging, student-focused school breakfast program: 

Kenowa Hills Public Schools: Quadrupling Breakfast Numbers by Offering a Second Chance 

At Kenowa Hills Public Schools in Michigan, data analysis by Director of Finance John Gilchrest revealed a significant opportunity to increase breakfast participation among secondary school students. Initially, only about 70 out of 1,000 students were eating breakfast at school. Consulting with the nutrition department and school staff, John and the team identified the morning rush as a barrier. Many high school students were not ready to eat immediately upon arrival—they were heading straight to class. 

To address this, Kenowa Hills introduced a “second-chance breakfast” program, allowing students to order and enjoy breakfast after the first hour of the school day. This simple adjustment led to a remarkable increase in participation, with numbers quadrupling to around 300 students daily. The investment in breakfast carts and staffing was minimal compared to the substantial returns in student engagement and nutrition. 

Suffolk Public Schools: Serving Up Variety and Smiles on Wheels 

Suffolk Public Schools has set a high standard with its comprehensive breakfast program. Each location features two to three Grab-and-Go Carts offering a variety of options, including smoothies, parfaits, and whole grain donuts. Nutrition Services Compliance Coordinator Angela Howell says the district serves an impressive 6,500 breakfasts daily across 21 buildings. “We’re really proud to offer every student the chance to start their day with a nutritious meal,” Angela says.  

One of the standout features of Suffolk’s program is the warm, welcoming environment created by staff who greet students with a smile at every site. Angela tells us, “It’s a personal touch that makes a significant difference in a student’s day.” It’s all part of the district’s focus on creating a positive and supportive atmosphere. 

Suffolk Public Schools also leveraged grants from No Kid Hungry to enhance their program. The district utilized Bulk Milk Grants to provide milk in barrels with cow prints, adding a fun and engaging element to their breakfast offerings. 

Windsor USD: Flavor-Forward Breakfast Hot Off the Griddle 

In California, Windsor USD offers students a rotation of flavorful favorites, including yogurt parfaits, breakfast pizza bagels, and French bakery croissants. From elementary through high school, delicious options greet students every day. The district also gives students the chance to plant, grow, and enjoy their own delicious produce from school gardens. Students learn about food production with a heaping helping of science and culinary delight. 

Director of Food and Nutrition Services Jennifer Baker reports that breakfast at Windsor continues to grow. They experienced a 24% year-over-year increase in breakfast participation in February 2024. Offering “second-chance breakfast” has also helped make morning meals accessible and appealing to more students. 

For National School Breakfast Week, Jennifer is pulling out all the stops. “We’ll be serving a pancake breakfast using the griddle on our new BBQ trailer,” she says. It’s an exciting way to bring even more attention to their breakfast program while serving up a fun outdoor treat. It’s sure to be a memorable experience, making for the breakfast highlight of the year. 

The Case for a Healthy Start with School Breakfast 

National School Breakfast Week is more than just a celebration–it’s a reminder of the profound impact that a nutritious breakfast can have on students’ academic performance, behavior, and overall wellbeing. Plus, it’s a chance to see how innovative breakfast offerings help schools build a thriving nutrition program. 

By continuing to innovate and invest in school breakfast programs, districts across the country ensure that every student can start their day with the fuel they need to succeed.