Nutrition –related News Articles – wrote two nutrition related articles and press releases which were published on Edison’s schools’ websites

1. School Nutrition Management Rotation
Intern Name Elizabeth M. Madison
Date(s) 2.24.12
Location Site JP Stevens HS, Edison NJ
Competencies DI 2.2 Demonstrate professional writing skills in preparing professional
(list #'s) communications (e.g. research manuscripts, project proposals, education
materials, policies and procedures)
Describe Activity
Press Release for the Edison Breakfast in the Classroom Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information:
Michele Carroll, Director of Dining Services
732-452-2851
Chartwells School Dining Services
michele.carroll@compass-usa.com
Edison School District and Chartwells School Dining Services launch Breakfast in the Classroom
Pick any road in Edison between 7:15 and 8:30am you’ll find streams of kids doing a mad dash to get to
school. With all the rushing in the morning, it can be easy to forget about breakfast. Many kids have a
substandard breakfast or skip breakfast all together.
As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s even more important for growing
kids. Study after study confirms that children who eat a nutritious breakfast are more energized and
focused in school. They have higher math and reading scores and perform better on standardized tests
and problem‐solving tasks. Behavior and attendance also improve. Children who eat breakfast are better
able to maintain a normal weight and are generally healthier, resulting in less trips to the school nurse’s
office.
Edison County and Chartwells understands that breakfast plays a critical role in students’ academic
success, so the Breakfast in the Classroom was implemented help students start the day right. The
benefits of Breakfast in the Classroom are nearly endless. The meals provide students one-fourth of the
Recommended Daily Allowance for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and calories, as
recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To combat childhood obesity, the Healthy,
Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires that breakfast programs serve more whole grains and fruits for
breakfast, limit saturated fats and trans fats, offer fat-free and low-fat milk choices, and only serve
reduced sugar cereals and pastries. This is reassuring to parents because they know their children are
receiving a nutritious meal in the morning. And the price can’t be beat - breakfast is only $1.00 for full pay
students and free for all others.
Two elementary and two middle schools have started Breakfast in the Classroom. The feedback has been
positive. ‘I like to eat breakfast with my friends’ says Margaret, a fifth grader. The teachers also approve.
Melissa Spaltz, a 6th grade teacher, states that she likes having breakfast in the classroom because it allows
her to spend more time with students and observe their social skills.
Edison County and Chartwells plan to launch the program to all 17 schools in the 2012 -2013 school year.
A comprehensive marketing strategy is aimed at increasing student participation. Students participate in
breakfast food samplings, contests and raffles that promote breakfast. Chartwells has teamed up with the
American Dairy Council to add high quality dairy products to the menu, like string cheese and yogurt.
Breakfast in the Classroom is an wonderful program that is off to a great start!
About Chartwells School Dining Services
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2. Chartwells, a division of Charlotte, NC-based Compass Group, provides dining services for over 500 public
school districts and private schools, comprising over 4000 separate elementary, middle and high schools
nationwide. For more information about Chartwells School Dining Services, visit www.eatlearnlive.com.
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