Missing meals and experiencing hunger impair children’s development and achievement. Hungry children are unable to focus in school, threatening educational success.
The Nevada School Breakfast Coalition is working to increase access to school breakfast meals around the state. Dairy Council of Nevada®, Association of Nevada Food Banks, Nevada Department of Agriculture, school nutrition and Nevada United Way have partnered together to provide funding and develop tools and resources for schools interested in expanding their breakfast programs and increasing participation.
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
Flavored Milk in School Breakfast & Lunch
Flavored milk doesn’t detract from any of its nutritional benefits. It just makes it more delicious! Over 68% of milk offered in schools is flavored, with chocolate winning as the milk of choice. A pilot study at one school district that removed chocolate milk from the menu revealed a decline in total milk sales by almost 10% and a decrease in lunch sales by nearly 8%. Chocolate milk is a delicious way for kids to get the nutrients they need and when it comes to post-workout recovery, chocolate milk rehydrates the body and refuels tired muscles. Check out the following infographics for the benefits of, and nutritional content of chocolate milk.
Smart Swaps
Smart Swaps is a practical toolkit designed to help schools and cafeteria staff plan, prepare, and serve healthy, delicious, and USDA-compliant meals with ease. Developed by the National Dairy Council, it offers everything you need to put updated nutrition standards into action.
The program includes:
- Guidelines-approved recipes tested with students to ensure taste and appeal
- Menu planning resources that align with the latest USDA standards, including limits on added sugar and sodium
- Culinary trainings and how-to videos to support staff in meal prep and service
- Practical strategies like Grab & Go, Heat & Serve, and Speed Scratch to make implementation easy and efficient
Whether you’re updating your breakfast offerings, designing lunch menus, or training staff, Smart Swaps provides everything you need to simplify meal service while keeping students energized and engaged.
Learn more and access the toolkit on the Smart Swaps website.
A Resource on How to Add Smoothies to the School Menu
Offering smoothies at school is a great way to supply nutritious foods that are part of your reimbursable meals and à la carte menu. School nutrition professionals recognize the importance of dairy in the diet, and smoothies that contain real milk pack a powerhouse of essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Students can enjoy a variety of flavors using yogurt, different fruits and vegetables, and even chocolate milk! Plus, students may be more likely to consume milk that they might not typically select with their school meals. The opportunities are endless when it comes to the flavor profile that a simple smoothie can provide. Check out this guide for sample menus, menu planning ideas, success stories, and more.
