How long has it been since you ate in a school cafeteria? When you think back, can you still remember the smell of the room filled with the sticky scent of syrup, or the enticing sizzle of bacon? Remember those eggs molded to the shape of an ice cream scoop, and the delicious tiny cartons of chocolate milk?

Some things haven’t changed: Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. And luckily, thanks to the passing of Breakfast After The Bell, more and more kids are getting the breakfast they need—at school.

We invited parents into Emerson Elementary School in South Seattle recently to experience what breakfast was like alongside their child. Everyone had so much fun! Students enjoyed showing their school off to their parents, and parents enjoyed the time spent with their children learning about their daily routines, and trying the new, nutritious breakfast foods.

At Emerson, students have the option to eat breakfast in the cafeteria before school starts, or take breakfast with them into their classrooms and eat during the first portion of their class. Giving these options helps to maximize the number of kids who actually eat breakfast… which is the whole point after all.

Each day the school breakfast menu includes healthy options and plentiful servings of fruit. Plus, there are multiple menu items to choose from each day, accommodating even the pickiest of eaters.

Do you think every student should be able to start their day with a healthy, nutrient-filled breakfast so that they can be their best selves in class? We do too! Which is why we need your help:

• If your neighborhood (or child’s) school is ready for Breakfast After the Bell, contact Jenny Walden, jwalden@uwkc.org for more information and how you can help.
• Invest in United Way’s Fuel Your Future program so that we can expand breakfast into all the schools in King County that need it.