The Morse Elementary School in Cambridge is using a simple, but effective method to market its school breakfast program – TEAMWORK! School nutrition staff, students and the principal all play a part in the promoting this school breakfast program.
When students arrive for breakfast they are enticed by visually appealing displays of delicious seasonal fresh fruit. It is the passion of Marie Hercule, a school nutrition staff member, who arranges fruit every morning for breakfast. The bright and contrasting colors of the fruit make breakfast more appealing to the students. Easy accessibility is also in action here…with a fruit display placed next to the register where students can easily grab a piece of fruit to round out their reimbursable meal. This simple and effective step is one of the popular strategies promoted by the Smarter Lunchroom Movement.
The Cambridge Public School district offers a hot breakfast item everyday as well as fruit, cold cereal, muffin, juice and milk. Students taste test menu items to assure their likes and dislikes are factored into the breakfast offerings. A favorite at breakfast is the hot oatmeal – the secret ingredient, apple cider, makes it one of the most popular items.
Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day!
Students and their families were reminded of this popular message when they received a postcard from their school principal, a strong supporter of school breakfast. The postcard was mailed to parents at the beginning of the school year to reinforce the importance of breakfast as well as provide information on how to participate in the breakfast program. It served as an important reminder to parents about the learning connection between a well-nourished child and academic success. Parents were also invited to join their child for breakfast at school. The Cambridge Public School District provides families and students with school breakfast and lunch menus on their web page, along with other helpful food and nutrition resources.
For more information about marketing school breakfast, visit the School Breakfast page on the JSI Resource Center for additional resources, including innovative ways to promote your school breakfast program.
