Grab N' Go breakfast at school: observations from a pilot program

Daily breakfast consumption has been associated with maintenance of healthful weight in youth and improved cognitive performance in the classroom. In one study, less than 50% of middle school youth reported eating breakfast daily. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests ‘‘Grab ‘N’ Go’’ as a strategy for increasing school breakfast program participation. Grab ‘N’ Go is a school-based meal delivery concept that enables children and youth to select healthful food options quickly, easily, and economically. In 2004, a Grab ‘N’ Go breakfast program founded on USDA suggestions was developed by a Kentucky-based public health coalition, with input from coalition members, a youth board, school nutrition management and staff, and the school principal, as well as data obtained from 11 focus groups with parents and 9to 13-year-olds.