Several schools in the Midwest have been recognized by the Midwest Dairy Council for their innovative breakfast programs and will receive grants to continue the enhancement of this valuable food service. The Hawthorne Elementary in the Sioux Falls, S.D. School District and the Anson Elementary in the Marshalltown, Iowas Community School District will both receive a $5,000 grant.
Hawthorne Elementary is helping to raise awareness of the importance of new ways to serve breakfast including dairy products. The school received a $5,000 award to use in enhancing their program, a “Read and Feed” initiative that includes a snack. Hawthorne’s grant will provide the opportunity to offer a pilot alternative breakfast program for those students that may not participate in the traditional cafeteria breakfast program.
Several other Iowa schools will also receive grants. Waukee Community School District received a $2,000 award for offering breakfast after the first bell, and Central Alternative High School in the Dubuque Community School District received a $1,000 award for its breakfast served in the classroom. Linn-Mar, Alta, Central Clinton and Knoxville Community School Districts each received $500 awards.
Midwest Dairy Council launched the award program last year. Offering breakfast in alternative ways increases participation by providing service for children who arrive late or who prefer to socialize rather than eat, and by helping to remove the potential social stigma that the program is meant for low-income students. School breakfast is the most cost-effective and fastest way to improve children’s learning and health. Breakfast at school reassures time-deprived parents that their children are receiving a nutritious morning meal.
“The benefits children receive from eating a nutritious breakfast are numerous and well-documented,” according to Carrie Scheidel, school nutrition program manager for Midwest Dairy Association. “Eating breakfast yields better student test scores, increases concentration and attendance, decreases disciplinary problems and more.”
Dairy is an important part of school breakfast, so encouraging new offerings in schools helps Midwest Dairy Association meet its goal of expanding sales and demand for dairy products.