The Atlanta Public Schools Nutrition Department (APSND) celebrated National Breakfast Week on Wednesday, March 4, by introducing a crowd favorite to the school breakfast menu.
The Chew Crew student taste testers, who participated in the inaugural APS Nutrition Services Food Show in January, had the opportunity to sample over 50 different school menu items.
Based on their feedback, the Poffitz Pancake Puffs Bites were selected to be the next perfect addition to the school breakfast menu.
Starting the day with school breakfast provides a healthy boost that fuels concentration and learning for students. In APS, overall breakfast participation has increased from 34.96% to 38.33%, meeting and slightly exceeding the district goal of 38%. During the same period, the average number of breakfasts served each day rose from 13,068 to 14,041 meals, reflecting a meaningful increase in daily student participation.
The APSND is proud to support student academic success by offering a variety of whole grain and lean protein entrees, along with fruit choices every day at breakfast, while following USDA nutrition guidelines that limit calories, sodium, saturated fat and sugar.
“The district continues to see strong progress in school breakfast participation,” APSND senior director Susan Stone said. “This growth highlights the impact of continued menu enhancements, student engagement efforts, and special promotions such as National School Breakfast Week. Initiatives like the Chew Crew student taste testing events and the introduction of highly rated menu items, such as the new Poffitz Pancake Puff Bites featured during National School Breakfast Week, help ensure menus reflect student preferences while supporting increased participation across schools.”