School breakfast programs are crucial for meet- ing students’ nutritional needs, but they come with unique challenges. Limited time in the morn- ing and the simultaneous arrival of all students necessitate innovative approaches. Traditional café service, breakfast-in-the-classroom, and mo- bile carts are common strategies employed by schools to overcome these barriers. Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast is par- amount for students’ readiness to learn. Schools strive to service breakfast meals that are afford - able and nutritious, but also delicious to entice students to participate. Peanut butter emerges as an ideal choice due to its affordability, nutrition - al value and popularity among children. And as a shelf-stable item that requires no refrigeration, peanut butter is a convenient and safe option when it comes to food safety. Moreover, peanut butter aligns with various food trends, including vegetarian meals, plant-based protein and ethnic flavors. Great school meal in - terpretations of these trends include bento box- es , smoothies and overnight oats , just to name a few. Adapting to students’ evolving tastes and staying on-trend elevates school breakfast pro- grams and enhances the appeal. Managing food allergies is another critical aspect of providing safe school meals. Here are some tips for meeting the challenge at breakfast and any time of day: • Peanut foods, like all other common allergens, should be clearly labeled on menus and at the
point of sale to help students and staff work together to reduce the chance of accidental ingestion by allergic individuals. • Alternatives should be available when any al- lergenic food is offered to help students enjoy a meal that meets their specific needs. • Annual food allergy training for staff, includ - ing identifying and responding to allergic reactions, proper handling of allergens and more, is an important way to be prepared to manage food allergens. To support safe and on-trend school breakfast ini- tiatives, the National Peanut Board is developing the Power Up With Peanuts: Making School Break- fast Epic breakfast toolkit. This resource aims to increase participation, engage students, and di- versify menus while adhering to USDA nutrition standards. Soon, the USDA will announce revised Nutrition Standards impacting sugar and sodium limits for school meals. The Power Up With Peanuts break- fast toolkit follows USDA’s best practices for re- ducing added sugars at school breakfast. School nutrition professionals can get notified when the new Power Up With Peanuts breakfast toolkit launches by signing up HERE or by scan- ning the QR code below. For on-trend peanut and peanut butter school meal recipes, visit Nation- alPeanutBoard.org .
Valeri Lea | National Peanut Board
Valeri Lea has over 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry. Her background spans over 60 brands and product categories, leading foodservice marketing agencies, and serving in sales and marketing roles at large manufacturing companies. She is currently serving in a contractor role at NPB, responsible for foodservice business development where she provides strategic foodservice counsel and support.
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