USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Is breakfast really important?  Breakfast… – Strengthens your brain – Helps you build good eating habits – Keeps you healthy – Helps you to be in a good mood – Gives you energy – Lets you try new foods

Did you know?  Most North Carolina schools serve breakfast every school day including a choice of… – Entrée – Fruit or 100% fruit juice – Low fat or fat free milk  School breakfast is a healthy, convenient choice for students and families

Is school breakfast healthy?  School breakfasts… – Meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – Are low in fat, sugar and sodium – Provide key nutrients that students need for growth and development – Are an excellent source of protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium – Offer a variety of whole grains, fruit and low fat milk – Serve portions that are appropriate for children

Does eating breakfast help students?  Students who eat breakfast…  have improved attendance and less tardiness  are able to pay attention longer  demonstrate better behavior in the classroom  perform better on tests  make fewer trips to the school nurse  have a better overall diet  are more likely to be at a healthy weight

What can principals do to support breakfast?  Let your staff, students, families and community know that you value and support the School Breakfast Program  Establish school practices and the classroom schedule to support the School Breakfast Program  Eat school breakfast in the cafeteria, spend time with students and encourage staff to eat school breakfast with students  Role model healthy eating and physical activity and encourage school staff to recognize that they are role models for students  Encourage nutrition education for students to teach about eating breakfast every day as part of an overall healthy lifestyle

What can teachers do to support breakfast?  Make sure students and families know about school breakfast  Teach and role model healthy eating  Encourage students to eat breakfast every day  Allow students to eat breakfast in the classroom  Include nutrition education in lessons to reinforce healthy choices  Coordinate nutrition education with Child Nutrition staff  Eat school breakfast in the cafeteria, spend time with students and encourage other teachers to eat school breakfast with students

What can school nurses do to support breakfast?  Share health concerns with school administrators and staff  Advocate for school breakfast to be included in Wellness Policy  Talk to teachers, other school staff and families about the benefits of breakfast  Ensure staff, students and families know about school breakfast  Be an advocate for school breakfast  Encourage students to eat breakfast every day  Teach and role model healthy eating

What can Child Nutrition staff do to support breakfast?  Prepare and serve quality meals that are tasty and appealing  Talk to school staff and families about the benefits of school meals  Ensure school staff, students and families know about school breakfast  Be an advocate for school breakfast  Encourage students to eat breakfast every day  Teach and role model healthy eating  Promote school meals and healthy eating

What can families do to support breakfast?  Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast every day  Make arrangements for your child to eat school breakfast  Eat school breakfast with your child  Teach and role model healthy eating, including eating a healthy breakfast every day  Promote and support school breakfast

Breakfast makes a difference. Breakfast is Brain Fuel!

For questions or more info…. Contact: Child Nutrition Program [Insert school system name] [Insert phone number] [Insert ] Developed by the N.C. Nutrition Education and Training Program, Division of Public Health, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services with funding from Child Nutrition Services, N.C. Department of Public Instruction. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C or call toll free (866) (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 07/11 Visit:

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found at or at any USDA office, or call to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax or at Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.