St. Ansgar — About 240 students in the St. Ansgar Community School District eat school breakfast on an average day, according to district officials.
The district participates in the federal School Breakfast Program. The program was established as a pilot in 1966 and made permanent in 1975. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides reimbursement to schools that meet federal nutrition requirements.
Bethany Aupperle, the district’s new food service director, said the breakfast program has been part of St. Ansgar schools for many years.
“As the new Food Service Director, I’m proud to continue a tradition that has been part of St. Ansgar for many years,” Aupperle said. “The district has been serving healthy breakfast to students for a very long time.”
Students may eat before school, and grab-and-go breakfast is available for middle school and high school students. The district’s February menu identifies grab-and-go service at those grade levels.
The district is also currently observing National Breakfast Week, (March 2-6) which includes themed menu items and cafeteria decorations.
Breakfast is listed at $1.30 for both elementary students and middle and high school students.
Menu items rotate throughout the month. Options include omelets, pancakes, breakfast burritos, bagels, and yogurt. Fresh fruit is served daily, according to the menu. Juice is offered with breakfast. Milk, including 1 percent white and chocolate skim, is available with each meal.
Schools that participate in the federal program must follow nutrition standards. Requirements include fruit servings, whole grains and specific calorie ranges.
“Our program follows the nutrition standards set by the State of Iowa and participates in the School Breakfast Program,” Aupperle said. “Federal reimbursement through this program helps lower costs, allowing us to offer breakfast at a reduced price while maintaining high nutritional quality.”
Aupperle said the district continues to encourage families to make use of the program.
“We also like to remind parents that breakfast is available, and we encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to help students start their mornings fueled and ready to learn,” she said.
Research over the years has linked school breakfast access with improved attendance and classroom engagement. Many districts have expanded grab-and-go service to make participation easier.
A themed breakfast menu is displayed during National Breakfast Week at St. Ansgar Elementary School. Photo courtesy of St. Ansgar Community School District.