Students in New York City elementary schools are going back to class with a healthy morning meal this New Year. The 2016-2017 school year marks the second of a three-year rollout of breakfast in the classroom to 339,000 elementary school students.
Two years ago, New York City had very low participation in their free school breakfast program because it was served before school started, in the cafeteria. Now, kids in the largest school district in the country are offered fruits, vegetables and whole grains as part of a nutritious breakfast, eaten at their desks during the first 15 minutes of class while their teachers get to work. Breakfast truly powers their day.
No Kid Hungry, which convened a coalition of supporters to advocate for New York City to expand breakfast in the classroom two years ago, is proud to partner with the New York City Department of Education on a new advertising campaign to show just how powerful breakfast in the classroom can be.
When we spoke to working families in New York City about this new program, their enthusiasm was evident. Parents told us how healthy food helps their kids focus and gives them energy for the day. But it’s a struggle to get to school early to catch breakfast. Many families are juggling early morning or late night work hours and multiple school drop-offs, all at the mercy of public transportation. Parents thought breakfast in the classroom seemed like a smart solution, and liked that kids would start their day in a calmer and more controlled environment than a rowdy cafeteria.
With the support of our Partners and National Breakfast Sponsors, Citi and Kellogg, we’ve translated that enthusiasm into ads featuring the voices of New York City schools students and the foods they enjoy while eating breakfast in the classroom. Take a look, and pass along the word: kids in New York City are now getting a smart start with breakfast in the classroom. For more information, visit NYCBreakfast.org.
