NEWS RELEASE

 

March 1, 2000

American School Food Service Association

 

 

Great Adventures Start with Nutritious Breakfasts during

National School Breakfast Week

 

Next week, students across the country will embark on “Great Adventures” in their schools to celebrate National School Breakfast Week.  The week of March 6-10 marks the 11th year that the American School Food Service Association (ASFSA) has sponsored the event that aims to demonstrate to students and their parents the value of eating a nutritious breakfast.

 

“Foodservice directors around the country are creating exciting programs based on the ‘School Breakfast - A Great Adventure’ theme,” says Phyllis Griffith, President of ASFSA.  “The creativity that goes into designing these programs underlies the importance of providing healthy breakfasts to our children.”

 

Numerous studies have indicated a vital link between eating breakfast and succeeding in school.  A 1998 Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School study confirmed the benefits of eating breakfast.  It showed that children who eat nutritious morning meals perform better academically, demonstrate improved behavior, and are physically healthier than those who skip breakfast.

 

Special activities are being planned during National School Breakfast Week.  For example, schools may distribute a treasure map of fun food facts or plant clues under plates or trays that lead to hidden treasures.  To increase participation in the breakfast program, students are encouraged to bring friends to breakfast by having a “breakfast buddies” competition.  The classroom that has the highest participation can be awarded a great adventure, such as discount coupons to a local theme park or movie theater.

 

The national School Breakfast Program came into existence as part of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.  The number of schools participating in the School Breakfast Program has nearly doubled since the 1989 school year; more than 70,000 schools serve breakfast to 7.3 million school children every day.  Public and non-profit private schools receive federal funds to assist in providing a nutritious breakfast.  This year, ASFSA produced a television and radio public service announcement to increase awareness of the importance of serving breakfast.

 

In December 1999, USDA announced its plan to implement a School Breakfast Pilot Program for the year 2000.  The program will provide six schools with funding to provide free breakfasts to all students, regardless of family income.  The evaluation of the results of the program will assess the effects of a universal-free school breakfast program on student participation and other student outcomes, including academic achievement, school attendance and tardiness, classroom behavior and attentiveness, and dietary status.

 

ASFSA is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 58,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.  Founded in 1946, ASFSA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well-being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

 

© 1999 American School Food Service Association