Guilford County Schools stand above the rest when it comes to getting breakfast to more students in the morning.

GCS’ Nutrition Services was recently recognized by North Carolina No Kid Hungry for showing the greatest increase in breakfast participation among large school districts during the 2014 Breakfast Challenge. GCS encourages more students to eat before class by offering alternative breakfast options such as breakfast kiosks in schools and Breakfast on the Go for students who may arrive after the bell rings.

“We want our students to be successful, and a big part of that is making sure they start their day with a good breakfast,” says Jim Faggione, director of school nutrition services. “Not every student wants to sit in the cafeteria and eat their breakfast, so we give them options and set them up for a better day.”

Studies have shown that offering these options leads to better attendance, better behavior and higher student performance. 

The award is sponsored in part by No Kid Hungry/Share our Strength, the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association and Public Schools of North Carolina. This is the second year in a row that GCS School Nutrition has been recognized for its growth in breakfast during the October Breakfast Challenge.