Marshfield Schools Celebrate National Breakfast Week

Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) Marshfield schools are celebrating National School Breakfast Week from March 2-6 with new menu items and a special smoothie bike.

The district offers a breakfast program to all students.

“Studies show that students that participate in school breakfast have higher levels of achievement in reading and math, and have better concentration throughout the school day,” said Melanie Hanneman, Co-Food Service Director. “Serving breakfast at school plays a vital role in ensuring students have access to a nutritious breakfast to start the day.”

The meal provides up to a quarter of the recommended daily allowance of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C.

As part of the festivities, Madison Elementary invited officers from the Marshfield Police Department on Feb. 28 to enjoy whole grain doughnut holes along with coffee cake, a fruit cup, 100 percent fruit juice, and fat free or low fat milk.

Kids could also ride the General Mills smoothie bike that’s been making its way across the district. They select which fruit, juice, and yogurt to add to the blender attached to the front wheel, and then pedal the stationary bike to blend the smoothie.

The smoothie bike spends a week at each elementary school. “Students have the opportunity to win a chance to ride the bike during breakfast,” said Hanneman. “There has been much excitement built up surrounding the smoothie bike that we’re using to promote healthy breakfast choices.”

During National School Breakfast Week, schools will feature new pancake bites, whole-grain cinnamon rolls, and a breakfast slider. The theme for the week is School Breakfast: Out of this World.

“Students will have the opportunity to provide feedback on new items while also letting us know what they already love about their school breakfast program, said Hanneman. “Our goal is to use that week to spread the message that we serve healthy, tasty breakfasts at school each and every day that really are out of this world.”