The vibrant hues of fall have arrived, and the crisp air reminds us that the season is in full swing. It’s time to get cozy and what better way than with a mug of hot chocolate milk as part of a nutritious breakfast.
This October, students in Norwalk Public Schools are enjoying the return of a hot menu item: hot chocolate milk. During the pilot last year, students were excited to have something new to enjoy with breakfast, and staff were excited to see how much the students loved it! At the six schools where the new menu item was offered during the pilot program, the district noted a 10% increase in breakfast participation. Following the success of the pilot, this school year, the district will be expanding the program by offering hot chocolate milk with breakfast daily at all middle and high schools.
Making Hot Chocolate School-Friendly
Hot chocolate milk is simply chocolate milk served warm, so it has far less sugar than a hot chocolate treat you might enjoy from a coffee shop. It has the same 13 essential nutrients as milk, it’s just served in a fun new way. With the new addition, students now have a nutritious hot beverage option as part of their school breakfast.
Research shows when students consistently start their school day with a nutritious meal, such as school breakfast, they have significantly less absences, an increase in standardized math scores, are less likely to repeat a grade, and have a better chance of graduating high school.
Studies also indicate that students who participate in school meal programs consume more whole grains, milk, fruits, and vegetables during mealtimes and have better overall diet quality than nonparticipants. Many foods offered through school meal programs are locally grown and produced, which in turn supports farmers. Schools are reimbursed for school meal programs based on participation, so when more students participate in school meals, they receive more funding to reinvest in their program.
Brought to You by Farmers
Funding for this grant was provided by the Connecticut Milk Promotion Board. Connecticut and dairy farmers throughout New England have invested in child nutrition for over a century. One of the many ways they support school meals is by providing funds for schools to purchase equipment that ensures all students have access to healthy meals.
Learn more about Hot Chocolate Milk and other school grants.
A Nutritious Breakfast to try at Home
If all this talk about hot chocolate milk and the benefits of dairy and a healthy breakfast has you excited to warm up a cup at home, here is a delicious fall breakfast recipe which would be the perfect accompaniment to your hot chocolate milk:
Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large pear (1/2 sliced thinly for top & 1/2 diced)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Mix all dry ingredients and in a separate bowl mix all wet ingredients
- Mix dry and wet ingredients together, then mix in the diced pear
- Spray 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray
- Pour oatmeal mixture into baking dish and top with the thin sliced pears
- Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy warm or cool!
