Culture and Champions Matter: How Adults Drive School Breakfast Success

Research shows that school breakfast participation is linked to improved academic outcomes, yet participation continues to lag behind school lunch. While proven models like Breakfast in the Classroom, Breakfast After the Bell, and Second Chance Breakfast can increase access, their success ultimately depends on the adults who implement and support them.

From principals who set priorities, to teachers who shape daily classroom routines, to cross-departmental partners who solve operational challenges, adult stakeholders can play a critical role as champions in building a culture where school breakfast can thrive. Focus group insights highlighted administrator and teacher buy-in as common challenges. With strong alignment across these groups, school breakfast programs are more likely to expand access, increase participation, and sustain success over time.

Join No Kid Hungry and the School Nutrition Foundation for a practical conversation focused on best practices for engaging adult stakeholders. Grounded in insights from recent focus groups conducted by No Kid Hungry and SNF, this session will feature speakers from three school districts who will share their real-world strategies for building buy-in, elevating champions, and creating supportive school cultures that drive student participation in school breakfast.

Learning Objectives

  • Interpret common barriers to implementing or expanding school breakfast programs through the lens of adult support and school culture
  • Identify the role of key adult stakeholders and champions (e.g., principals, teachers, and cross-departmental partners) in driving school breakfast success
  • Apply practical strategies to build buy-in and align adults around a shared vision for school breakfast
  • Assess their current school or district culture and identify opportunities to strengthen adult support and increase participation.

Earning CEUs
SNA CEUs:1.0
Key Area 4000: Communications & Marketing
Key Topic 4100: Communications & Marketing
Subtopic 4140: Outreach & Community Engagement