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Alternative Breakfast Models
Breakfast in the Classroom
The Breakfast in the Classroom program allows students to enjoy breakfast in their classrooms after the official start of the school day, promoting convenience and accessibility. Breakfasts are delivered directly to classrooms from the cafeteria using coolers or insulated rolling bags, ensuring freshness and maintaining temperature. Typically lasting 10-15 minutes, this program integrates breakfast seamlessly into the start of the school day, providing students with a nutritious meal to begin their day and minimizing disruptions to instructional time. Breakfast in the classroom has some strongest evidence for increasing student breakfast uptake.
Evidence for Use
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Breakfast in the classroom (BIC) offers numerous benefits, including increased participation in school breakfast programs and decreased food waste.1,2,3 In one study, BIC was also associated with an increase in school attendance.3 By providing meals directly to the classroom, it ensures that all students have access to breakfast, regardless of socioeconomic status or time constraints at home. Additionally, breakfast in the classroom can foster a sense of community and routine within the classroom, promoting social interaction and a positive learning environment.4 While some teachers are concerned about breakfast cutting into learning time, studies find that the vast majority of teachers administering BIC believe the program is worthwhile.5
Implementation Process
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Some schools distribute breakfast items directly to students in their classrooms, allowing for a seamless integration into the morning routine. Additionally, some schools incorporate breakfast into instructional time, using it as an opportunity for socialization and community building among students.
Best Practices
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- Engage stakeholders, like students, teachers, administrators, and parents early-on in the planning process to address concerns and garner support
- Establish procedures to streamline food delivery, distribution, and clean up
- Establish breakfast as part of the morning routine, encouraging students to take the time to eat. This could take place while attendance is being taken and/or during morning announcements.
- Post signage in the classroom so staff and students know what counts as a complete breakfast
- Promote student participation by involving students in the planning and execution of breakfast time or playing music in the background
Participating Schools
Many California schools implement Breakfast in the Classroom including:
Citations
1. Farris AR, Roy M, Serrano EL, Misyak S. Impact of breakfast in the classroom on participation and food waste. Journal of nutrition education and behavior. 2019;51(7):893-898. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2019.04.015. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.04.015.
2. Olsta J. Bringing breakfast to our students. The Journal of school nursing. 2013;29(4):263- 270. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1059840513476094. doi: 10.1177/1059840513476094.
3. Anzman-Frasca S, Djang HC, Halmo MM, Dolan PR, Economos CD. Estimating impacts of a breakfast in the classroom program on school outcomes. JAMA pediatrics. 2015;169(1):71-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.2042. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.2042.
4. Mumm J, Hearst MO, Shanafelt A, Wang Q, Leduc R, Nanney MS. Increasing social support for breakfast. Health promotion practice. 2017;18(6):862-868. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27008302. doi: 10.1177/1524839917711123.
5. McKeon GP, Shukaitis J, Cuite CL. Teachers’ perceptions and attitudes toward breakfast in the classroom: The importance of health. The Journal of school health. 2021;91(9):741-749. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/josh.13064. doi: 10.1111/josh.13064.