Olivia Deng
Laughter, chatter, clattering trays— the energy is palpable as students file into the bustling cafeteria. For Noah Sheldon, a student at Woburn Memorial High School, lunchtime represents much more than just a meal; it’s a pivotal part of the school experience.
“I absolutely love eating outside in the nice weather with my friends, all talking with one another over some fulfilling meals,” - Noah Sheldon
Noah remembers what school was like before meals became free. He saw his classmates skipping lunch, going without the fuel they needed to focus and do well in class.
But now, all students are welcome to chow down free of charge. And it’s all thanks to the generosity and determination of Project Bread supporters like you who made permanent School Meals for All possible in Massachusetts.
School cafeterias increasingly incorporate culturally relevant recipes to make mealtime an inclusive experience that students participate in. Project Bread partners with schools to help them create more diverse recipes like a Greek Chop Suey and Arroz con Pollo Bowl.
Noah runs a nonprofit called Inclusive Eats that provides culturally diverse ingredients to food pantries. That means he understands the importance of having cultures reflected in menus all too well.
The importance of increasing school meal consumption has never been more crucial.
As of September 2024, 25.1% of households with children in MA were food insecure.
We know that proper nutrition plays a significant role in supporting students' health, academic performance, and overall well-being. And we have plenty of opportunities to supplement kids with the nutrition they need, including breakfast, arguably the most important meal of the day.
Project Bread believes that in order to make a real difference, we need to champion initiatives that encourage lasting change in schools. Our partnerships with Monson Public Schools and Avon Middle-High School proves that by implementing more innovative strategies that enhance the quality of school meals, more students are participating in school meals. Allowing more students to succeed, academically and in life.
“I absolutely love eating outside in the nice weather with my friends, all talking with one another over some fulfilling meals.”
Noah Sheldon, High School Senior, Founder of Inclusive Eats
We’ve all gotta eat — and it’s better when we do it together!
Increasing school meal participation is crucial for reasons beyond just providing food for kids:
Free school meals are saving families money. On average, free school meals can save a family $1,000 per year per child.
School Meals for All ensures that all students have access to nutritious meals, which are essential for their physical and cognitive development. When children are well-nourished, they are better able to concentrate, participate, and perform academically, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes.
Increased participation can foster a sense of community and belonging, as students gather together during meal times, sharing experiences and promoting social connections.
Robust participation in school meal programs can reduce stigma for those struggling with food insecurity, encouraging a culture of inclusion.
Eating school meals can lead to decreased food waste and more efficient use of resources, as schools can better plan and manage their meal offerings when participation is higher.
Overall, making sure more students take part in school meals is key to creating a healthier, more supportive environment for everyone in the classroom.
Let’s take a look at Avon Middle-High School, where upgrades are not only boosting school meal participation but also building a stronger sense of community among students.
With funding from Project Bread, Avon Middle-High School has recently made significant strides in enhancing its breakfast offerings. The school invested in a panini press and a blender, allowing for the creation of fresh and enticing breakfast items that cater to students’ tastes. Under the leadership of School Nutrition Director Anna Branco, the program has undergone a transformation that’s engaging students in their dining experience with the help of a modernized menu.
On a snowy December morning, Project Bread visited Avon to see the changes in action. Coming in from the cold, the smells of toasted English muffins and sizzling breakfast sandwiches filled the warm air of the cafeteria. The new panini press has become a hit, improving meal quality and drawing in students excited to try fresh, delicious options at breakfast.
“Students are enthralled by the machine and enjoy seeing it in action. Most have never seen a grill press before, so it makes the breakfast experience special.”
Anna Branco, School Nutrition Director at Avon Public Schools
The remarkable results of these upgrades can’t be denied. Since implementing these changes, Avon has witnessed a staggering 250% increase in breakfast participation! This big jump shows just how effective our efforts are in improving school meals by providing tools that modernize meal preparation and make breakfast more appealing to students.
Anna Branco, School Nutrition Director at Avon Public Schools shares why the press holds magic for the students and why its been so effective to increase breakfast participation. “The panini press funded by Project Bread shows that our hot breakfast foods, like egg sandwiches and wraps, are freshly made,” Branco said. “Students are enthralled by the machine and enjoy seeing it in action. Most have never seen a grill press before, so it makes the breakfast experience special.”
Let this vibrant scene at Avon Middle-High School be a case study for the broader impact that schools can achieve when they prioritize meal quality and presentation. Quality equipment, such as the panini press and blender, means schools can create nutritional meals and culinary experiences that kids are excited to take part in.
Since Massachusetts began providing free school meals to all students, an average of 100,000 more children are eating school lunch daily in schools where meals were not previously universally free, while 73,500 more kids are enjoying school breakfast daily (October 2019 vs 2023). With a daily average increase of 19,748 students participating in school meal programs in October 2023 compared to October 2022, the impact on both health and community cohesion is profound. And more kids eating school meals means more revenue for schools to invest back into further improving their school meal progam. Project Bread has played a pivotal role in this transformation and increased school meal participation, advocating for universal free meals and supporting schools in enhancing their food service capabilities.
Last year alone, we invested a total of $73,141 in grants to improve equipment, outreach, and staffing to enhance meal service and for promotional and advertising material to encourage meal participation. We also provided eight districts and more than 470 nutrition staff members with professional development training and hands-on support to create healthy and delicious meals that comply with USDA nutrition guidelines and that kids will enjoy. Furthermore, we worked directly with 136 school districts on school breakfast, providing one-on-one customized support tailored to the districts’ needs.
Monson Public Schools exemplify the positive outcomes of School Meals for All, experiencing an increase in revenue, which they reinvested in their programs, leading to a significant increase in participation. More meals served has meant more federal reimbursements, allowing them to further enhance their school meal program, investing in much-needed upgrades for their kitchen at Granite Valley School.
“Staff members have noticed a positive shift in the school environment as more students are participating, the stigma once associated with free meals has faded and there is an overall sense of community at mealtimes,” said Tracy Blanchard, Food Service Director at Monson Public Schools. “The improved layout and updated tools help streamline workflows, making everything more efficient and manageable for our team.”
This investment boosts staff morale and makes things run more smoothly, which leads to stronger service and a better experience for students. By assisting schools like Monson in modernizing their kitchens, we are helping create an environment where healthy meals can be prepared and served efficiently. “It’s truly a win-win for all,” Blanchard said.
The ripple effects of School Meals for All and improved school meal programs are being felt throughout the Monson district. Increased meal participation has led to expanded local food purchasing, which not only supports local agriculture but also ensures that students are consuming fresher and healthier food choices. As food quality improves, so does the overall student experience. The changes have led to a positive shift in the school climate, with students feeling more connected to their peers during mealtime.
“When our students can eat together, in the same place where they learn together and play together, it fosters a stronger, more equitable, school community, and the investments that Massachusetts is making in our children will have long-lasting positive benefits on the health of our future generations,” said Jennifer Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread. “We hope to see these benefits extend across the nation, as we know the incredible impact we’re already seeing right here in the Commonwealth.”
“We hope to see these benefits extend across the nation, as we know the incredible impact we’re already seeing right here in the Commonwealth.”
Jennifer Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread
When kids have access to free, nutritious meals, they thrive. In class, on the playground, and beyond. School meal programs don’t just nourish bodies; they create a sense of community and inclusion that lasts a lifetime.
As we continue to advocate for and support programs that enhance school meal participation, your help is vital. By donating to Project Bread, you can empower schools to provide nutritious, culturally inclusive meals that attract more students to participate. Your contribution directly supports initiatives that improve food quality, modernize kitchen equipment, and inspire students to embrace school meals
Join us in building a healthier future for Massachusetts students. Together, we can ensure that no child goes hungry and every student has the opportunity to succeed.