The school breakfast you serve can change lives. Just look at the incredibly positive associations* when students start the day right with breakfast, including:

• Higher test scores
• Calmer classrooms with fewer behavioral, emotional, and educational problems
• Stronger attendance and graduation rates

While the benefits of eating breakfast are clear, schools have a big opportunity to make it more accessible. Think of all the students who face obstacles to arriving before the bell rings and getting the nutrition they need first thing in the morning.

National School Breakfast Week is March 3-7, 2025

Now is the perfect time to explore alternative serving models that are proven to increase meal program participation.

To start, here are three strategies that schools are using to improve outcomes by serving breakfast after the bell rings.

1. Breakfast in the Classroom

88% Participation*

Topping the charts for participation among free and reduced lunch eaters is offering breakfast right in the classroom.

Did you know?
Teachers doing breakfast in the classroom become its strongest advocates. They see how it improves classroom performance. And it can be easy to implement!

Portion control foods like SunButter® anytime, anywhere cups make it simple to serve breakfast while students settle into the classroom.

Eating breakfast in the homeroom only takes about 10-15 minutes, and can count towards instructional time. The first few minutes of class are often spent on activities that accommodate a quick meal, such as morning announcements.

Tip: Help teachers create a hassle-free cleanup plan. This may include stocking table spray, towels, and trash bags, if needed.

2. Grab & Go Breakfast

59% Participation*

Another successful way to serve students who arrive late – or right before the bell – is by designating a grab & go breakfast area in a central location. This could be near the office, at the entryway, or outside of classrooms.

Breakfast can be served on carts, kiosks, or tables located in easily accessible areas throughout the building.

Create grab & go stations with mood-boosting SunButter® smoothies – full of natural nutrient riches.

Tip: Determine serving locations and eating areas (e.g. playgrounds, hallways, cafeterias, or classrooms) that best accommodate the needs of your school.

3. Second Chance Breakfast

58% Participation*

For students who miss the first 15 minutes of class, second chance breakfast can catch them up on essential nourishment.

This could mean offering breakfast after the first hour of elementary school, or in between first and second periods in middle schools and high schools. 

Tip: Make breakfast even more accessible by offering nut-free, worry-free menus that keep students safe and sustained throughout the morning. Use National Breakfast Week to generate excitement around new breakfast programs using SunButter®!

Build Buzz During National School Breakfast Week

• Share the benefits of serving breakfast after the bell with teachers, administrators, and families.
• Communicate any changes to your breakfast program throughout the school and at PTA meetings.
• Launch new offerings during National School Breakfast Week with posters, raffles, and fun activities like voting on or naming a new breakfast item.

And Remember, You Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel
These practices have been widely adopted by schools. Connect with other districts to learn from their successes and get a head start in serving more inclusive breakfasts for all.

Reference: actionforhealthykids.org

*Source: https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org. The percentages indicate the average breakfast participation among free and reduced lunch eaters, based on analysis of 2,201 schools from 14 states.