Fairview South Gets Grant to Grow Breakfast Program for Students

Recognizing that breakfast helps to "make the grade" for many students, Fairview South Elementary School in Skokie applied for and was awarded a grant to expand its breakfast program this school year.  

Schools nationwide applied to receive up to $2,000 in funding through the National Dairy Council® Fuel Up™ Breakfast Program. In partnership with General Mills Foodservice, the grants aim to increase student access to nutritious foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy products, whole grain cereals, and fruit at breakfast. Fairview South Elementary was one of 30 schools nationwide to receive the grant from the program this year.

Numerous studies show that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school with better concentration and fewer behavior problems.  Recent data from the School Nutrition Association reported that the number of kids eating school breakfast is on the rise with more districts offering "universal" or free breakfast to all students and schools finding alternative ways to get breakfast to kids at a hectic time of day with grab-and-go breakfast carts, breakfast in the classroom, second chance breakfast.

The National Dairy Council® Fuel UpTM Breakfast Grant Program will award grants totaling $50,000 to help 30 K-12 schools expand their breakfast programs. The majority of this year’s recipients reported they will use the funds to expand programs that serve students breakfast outside of the cafeteria: 13 schools will implement grab-and-go breakfast carts, five schools will add breakfast in the classroom, four will offer second chance breakfast, and three schools will expand their current breakfast offerings.  Since 2009, the program has awarded more than $375,000 to 130 schools nationwide

“It is exciting to see schools grow their programs and succeed at getting more students to eat a healthy breakfast,” said Alyca Judge, K-12 senior marketing manager, General Mills Foodservice. “General Mills is proud to partner with the National Dairy Council to provide Fuel UpTM Breakfast Grants to assist schools in giving students the fuel they need to reach their highest potential.”

The grants were open to schools within the United States who participate in the National School Breakfast Program and are enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Created by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Fuel Up to Play 60 program empowers youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. Currently, the program is active in more than 73,000 schools nationwide.

“With so much of their day spent in the school environment, it’s an important place to promote to students the message of healthy eating and staying active,” said Jean H. Ragalie, RD, president of National Dairy Council. “Working with organizations like General Mills Foodservice to provide access to a nutritious breakfast is a great source of pride for us and gets us closer to our goal of healthy, active, and happy children.”