Putnam City offers free breakfasts to all students this school year

All students in Putnam City schools this year will be able to start their day with a free, nutritious breakfast, thanks to the district’s expanded participation in the federal school meal program.

Under the “Universal Free Breakfast” program, all students will be offered a breakfast meal regardless of family income status. All breakfasts served will qualify as a reimbursable meal through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Breakfast Program.

A Department of Agriculture publication lays out benefits of children eating breakfast, including:

•Children who eat breakfast at school are likely to have fewer absences and incidents of tardiness than those who do not.

•Breakfast helps children pay attention, perform problem-solving tasks and improve their memories.

•Children who eat breakfast are more likely to behave better in school and get along with their peers than those who do not.

•Eating breakfast can help improve math, reading and standardized test scores.

“Simply put, having breakfast means children start the day ready to learn,” said Dwane Drake, director of Sodexo’s child nutrition services for Putnam City.

“Putnam City’s Child Nutrition Service last year served about 12,000 lunches and 2,700 breakfasts a day. In February, the district tested our free breakfast for all students at three elementary schools. Student participation in breakfast at the three schools increased by an average of 12 percent.

“We expect the numbers of students eating breakfast will increase and that students and schools will be better off for it,” Drake said.

Simply put, having breakfast means children start the day ready to learn.”

DWANE DRAKE DIRECTOR, SODEXO CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES FOR PUTNAM CITY