New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill visited Albany High School in Albany, Louisiana, this month to celebrate the school’s commitment to school breakfast.
Albany High School added a second chance, grab-and-go breakfast this school year, which allows students access to breakfast in a quick, easy, later-in-the-morning format that gets them to 92% breakfast participation!
“Unfortunately, many of our high school students were not eating school breakfast,” says Sommer Purvis, Administrator of Special Programs, Child Nutrition Department for Livingston Parish Public Schools. “Second chance breakfast provides students a short mid-morning brain break to fuel their bodies with a healthy breakfast, and the results have been outstanding!”
Purvis explains that, traditionally, the school district sees a decline in breakfast participation in junior/senior high school because students don’t get to school early enough for breakfast or just aren’t hungry yet.
Any message has a big impact when it’s delivered in person by a professional athlete. Hill’s visit to the school reinforced the connection between nutrition and success as he spoke about fueling up with healthy foods, including breakfast – and it’s hard to doubt the power of nutrition when you’re face-to-face with 6 feet 5 inches of muscle.
Breakfast is also essential to academic achievement, so adding second chance breakfast will have a lasting impact for all of these students – not just those interested in athletics.
Looking for smart ways to encourage your students to make healthier choices? Talk to your local school wellness consultant.
