All Elementary Schools to Serve Breakfast This Year

Breakfasts will be offered at every elementary school beginning this fall.

Breakfast is already served at Ryerson and John F. Kennedy schools.

“We’re very excited to offer this,” said Michael Schmitt, food service director with Sodexo, the district’s food service provider. “I’ve wanted to offer it for a long time.”

Breakfast will be served at each school between 8:35 and 8:55 a.m.

Beginning the first day of school, Sept. 9, breakfast will be served at Randall Carter and Albert Payson Terhune schools. Breakfast will be rolled out at the five remaining schools in September and October.

Pines Lake will begin serving breakfast Sept. 24 and Packanack two days later.

Students at Lafayette can purchase breakfast beginning Oct. 1. Theunis Dey students will have the option beginning Oct. 3. James Fallon will start serving breakfast Oct. 8.

The federal government subsidizes the cost of each meal.

A full breakfast with milk, a fruit item, and an item of whole grain will cost $1.35. Sometimes a meat item, such as a sausage patty, may be substituted into a full breakfast. Families who qualify for reduced-cost meal will only pay .30 cents.

Students may also buy items a la carte.

Hot items include: regular and whole-wheat varieties of French toast sticks, waffles, and pancakes, and eggs. Cereal, parfaits, yogurts, fruit, and fruit cups will also be offered.

“We have to more whole grains in our menu,” Schmitt said.

A traveling cook will make made-to-order items such as omelets and waffles. The person will rotate between schools.

“If having something like that will get the students to eat better and it promotes healthy eating, I’m all for it,” Schmitt said.

Superintendent Ray Gonzalez could not be reached for comment.

Parents and students can sample items, and purchase a full meal, at each school throughout September and October. Sodexo employees will also discuss the importance of starting everyday with a well-balanced breakfast.

Sampling events will be held on the following days:

• Randall Carter: Sept. 10
• A.P. Terhune: Sept. 12
• John F. Kennedy: Sept. 17
• Ryerson: Sept. 19
• Pines Lake: Sept. 24
• Packanack: Sept. 26
• Lafayette: Oct. 1
• Theunis Dey: Oct. 3
• James Fallon: Oct. 8

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.