School Breakfast

A broad reference that includes any breakfast service or delivery model that is not the traditional service of breakfast served in the cafeteria before the bell signal.

A broad reference to the practice of offering breakfast to students after the first bell. It is most commonly associated with the alternative breakfast methods of Breakfast in the Classroom, and Breakfast Break (aka Second Chance Breakfast).

Breakfast that is served and consumed after 1st period is completed before or during 2nd period. This model is most commonly used in secondary school settings. “Second Chance Breakfast” is sometimes used when a district allows students arriving late to obtain a breakfast from the food service staff up to a set time prior to lunch.

This refers to the practice of allowing students to eat breakfast after the bell in their classrooms during first period. The delivery methods can include students picking up a meal on their way to the classroom aka “Grab ‘n Go”; breakfast delivered to the classroom by food service staff; breakfast delivered to the classroom by student representatives who pick up their class’s meal at the cafeteria; or a combination of methods based on the school building and grade levels.

A type of Breakfast in the Classroom, this refers to setting up service stations in multiple locations, often in the cafeteria or hallways so that students can pick up a mobile breakfast (usually bagged) on their way to class where they can eat it during first period. This method can also be utilized for “Breakfast Break” (aka “Second Chance Breakfast” or “Breakfast after 1st Period”) where the meal is picked up on the way to another class.

Also referred to as “Breakfast Before the Bell,” this is the practice of offering breakfast to students only before the first bell. It can be offered as free to all students (universal), but service is completed prior to the start of the school day, most commonly in the school’s cafeteria.

This refers to offering free breakfast to all students regardless of eligibility. This status can be applied to any breakfast model including regular cafeteria service before the bell or any version of alternative breakfast. Universal breakfast is most often utilized in high schools with a high percentage of students who are eligible for free-and-reduced-priced meals. This model can help to alleviate the stigma around eating school breakfast.