What we eat plays a significant role in our overall health, energy and mental health which is why it’s important to incorporate protein, whole wheat, dairy, fruits and vegetables into our diet. Nutrient dense meals are vital for growing and developing children especially for the first meal of the day, breakfast. When kids start their day with a nutritious breakfast, they get the fuel needed to stimulate and enhance their cognitive function, boost their energy and get the essential nutrients necessary to promote their overall health and development. In honor of School Breakfast Week, we wanted to share how milk on a Nevada farm makes its way into schools across the state.
Delicious Milk Straight From The Source!
Nevada is home to just over 20 dairy farms ranging in size from 500 cows to over 25,000 cows. Our farmers focus on cow care and sustaining the land in order to supply high-quality, nutritious and delicious dairy to our communities—including schools!
Yep, those cute little milk cartons we all know and love are filled with dairy goodness!
In southern Nevada, dairy farmers send their milk to Meadow Gold for processing and packaging. Meadow Gold then supplies and delivers milk to schools in the Clark County School District (CCSD). In northern Nevada, dairy farmers send their milk to Model Dairy for processing and packaging. Model Dairy then supplies and delivers milk to schools in most northern Nevada school districts.
Milk is picked up from the farms daily. It’s delivered, processed and packaged all within 48 hours. Ensuring our communities, and your kids, are getting fresh, wholesome dairy products you can feel good about.
School Breakfast Program
The Dairy Council of Nevada is a proud sponsor of school breakfast. Through grants and partnerships with the National Dairy Council, Dairy Council of Nevada is able to provide equipment and materials to schools to support the school breakfast program. Schools can apply and receive equipment such as cooler bags to bring milk and cold items to the classrooms, as well as large coolers and snack stations for grab-n-go items in the cafeteria.
The National School Breakfast Program serves more than 14 million children every school day. CCSD serves on average 93,000 breakfasts a day. The school breakfast program ensures that students are well-nourished before they jump into the classroom. Typically, these meals include yogurt, string cheese, cereal, healthy muffins, fruit, pancakes, french toast, and breakfast burritos with the option of flavored or regular milk; these meals must meet the recommendations provided by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Over the years, the number of students fed through the program has increased. This participant growth has further reinforced the importance of providing nutrient-rich foods like milk. School Breakfast programs offer students who might not otherwise have access to breakfast the resources they need to thrive in their academic careers, so the Nevada Dairy Farmers know how important it is to produce a wholesome product.
Here’s what Universal School Breakfast is Associated with:
- Reduced absenteeism
- Reduced tardiness
- Reduced behavior problems
- Reduced nurse’s office visits
- Increased standardized test achievement scores
- Higher grades
- Positive learning environments
Dairy Council of Nevada works with schools and nutrition officials in northern and southern Nevada to promote dairy nutrition, enhance school menu options, address food insecurity, and promote physical activity. For more information on school breakfast week, click here.
