Fall River, MA – On Thursday, a check presentation was held at B.M.C Durfee High School to recognize the awarding of $10,522 to the Fall River Public Schools district by New England Dairy & Food Council to start Breakfast in the Classroom at two of their schools.
Breakfast is currently served in the cafeteria at both Durfee High School and Talbot Middle School. With just 10 minutes between bus drop offs and the first bell, it can be challenging for students to eat breakfast once they arrive and then make it to class on time.
“By giving students the opportunity to eat their breakfast during their first period class, we’re expecting to see an increase in participation. If more students are starting out their day eating a nutritious meal at school, we know we’re fueling them for success.” Said Robert Cutting, School Nutrition Director with Fall River Public Schools.
In fact, research has shown that providing students with breakfast in the classroom is associated with lower tardy rates, improved attendance rates, and fewer disciplinary office referrals.1,2
To launch the program, the schools will use the funding they received from New England Dairy & Food Council to purchase insulated bags and mobile carts to deliver meals to classrooms. They also plan on using a portion of the funding to pique students’ interest in breakfast with interactive activities like taste tests, recipe contests, and more.
Fall River Public Schools was eligible for grant funding due to their participation in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, the nation’s leading in-school physical activity and nutrition program. Locally, the funding for this program is provided by the dairy farm families of Massachusetts and New England.
For more information, follow New England Dairy & Food Council on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit NewEnglandDairyCouncil.org.
Additional Information
- Murphy, J. M., Drake, J. E., & Weineke, K. M. (2005). Academics & Breakfast Connection Pilot: Final Report on New York’s Classroom Breakfast Project. Nutrition Consortium of New York State. Albany, New York.
- Anzman-Frasca, S., Djang, H. C., Halmo, M. M., Dolan, P. R., & Economos, C. D. (2015). Estimating impacts of a breakfast in the classroom program on school outcomes. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(1), 71-77.
About New England Dairy & Food Council
New England Dairy & Food Council (NEDFC) is a non-profit nutrition education organization staffed by registered dietitians. NEDFC is a state and regional affiliate of the National Dairy Council® (NDC). Our goal is to ensure that health professionals, scientists, media and educators have a credible body of nutrition information upon which to base health recommendations.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
About NFL PLAY 60
In October of 2007, the NFL launched NFL PLAY 60, a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Over the past decade, the NFL has partnered with leading academic, scientific and nonprofit organizations, including the American Heart Association, National Dairy Council, Special Olympics, Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Jude, and the United Way, to help children of all abilities lead healthier, active lives. Since the launch of the campaign, the NFL has committed more than $350 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for PSAs; the NFL and its clubs have supported programs in nearly 73,000 schools nationwide, giving more than 38 million children the chance to boost physical activity levels and build a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. The NFL and its partners are committed to continuing the PLAY 60 movement for an active and healthier generation for years to come. For more information, visit nfl.com/PLAY60.
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