K-12
The Importance of Breakfast for K-12 Students
3/4/2025
Over 93,000 schools across the U.S. serve school breakfast to more than 15.6 million students every day, on average. That adds up to more than 2.5 billion breakfasts served each year.1
That’s a lot of breakfast. But too many students are still skipping breakfast—nearly twice as many (29.6 million) school lunches are served every day. That doesn’t just impact students’ health—it can have a cascading impact on everything from attendance to test scores.1
So how do you create breakfast concepts that resonate with today’s students? Consider these ideas and menu trends that can keep the morning menu exciting and fresh.
Missing the morning meal
According to research, 13% of students skip breakfast on any given day, a number that jumps to a whopping 27% of those aged 12 to 19. In other words, more than 1 in 4 teenagers skip breakfast. Female students begin skipping breakfast even earlier—and they skip more often.2
Why do students skip breakfast? There are a wide range of reasons. For some, they may simply not like the breakfast foods available. Others may be thinking about weight management. But for many of them, particularly teens, time is the issue. Middle school and high school students often go to bed late because they’re on their phones or computers, participating in extracurricular activities and sports, or going to part-time jobs. So they often wake up later, leaving little time for breakfast (and some students may have events and practices before the school day begins).2
An essential start to the day
While there are plenty of arguments about whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it’s clear that breakfast is an essential element of a well-rounded day. That’s particularly true for K-12 students. A few of the benefits associated with eating breakfast include:
Health and weight gain continue to be a public health concern for students across the country, with more than 1 in 5 K-12 students being obese. Studies show that students who skip breakfast are more likely to become overweight or obese. Eating breakfast jumpstarts a student’s metabolism in the morning, helping them burn calories. They’re also less likely to overeat unhealthy items later in the day.2
Beyond weight management, eating breakfast is associated with a range of health benefits. Skipping breakfast is correlated with everything from high blood sugar to abnormal cholesterol levels, which in turn lead to health concerns like diabetes and heart disease later in life. Children who eat breakfast, on the other hand, showcase better health outcomes overall, partly due to the nutritional benefits of breakfast foods, whether that’s fiber in whole grain cereals and breads or calcium and vitamin D in milk and yogurt.2
Students who eat breakfast do better in school. In fact, their performance improves across a range of metrics: they have higher standardized test scores in math, spelling, and reading; they have better brain function and memory; their attention and focus is improved (a real concern today if you ask many teachers); and it even helps them manage frustration.2
How to increase participation
With so many students choosing to skip breakfast because they’re busy, it’s clear that quick, easy meals should be a go-to for schools. Focus on those grab-and-go meals that students can quickly pick up in convenient locations.
Breakfast trends and the foods and flavors that Gen Z and Gen Alpha students want keep changing and evolving, as well. Some of the trending options on K-12 breakfast menus today include:3
Maple turkey: +2,672% in the last year
Zucchini: +519%
Buttermilk pancakes: +480%
Frittatas: +329%
Breakfast bowl: +115%
Granola: +25%
Healthier and wellness-focused options are also key to ensuring that students start the day off on the right foot, whether that’s plant-based proteins, whole grains, or reduced sugar choices.
Simplot is your breakfast partner
We understand that it can be challenging to offer a variety of trendy breakfast options that excite students, especially when you may not have the desired labor or skill set. Additionally, government guidelines and regulations are strict and constantly changing, adding to the complexity. That’s why Simplot’s wide range of freezer-to-plate solutions have become go-to products for K-12 operators nationwide. Whether it’s our range of versatile and kid-approved hash browns, our many roasted potato products that create a crowd-pleasing and filling breakfast bowl or side, or the easy addition of a vegetable blend to everything from omelets to wraps to baked goods, Simplot’s cost-effective products save time, reduce labor, and meet USDA guidelines.
Looking for menu inspiration? Consider some of these recipes that are sure to start your students’ day off right:
A flavorful Raspberry Parfait featuring Simplot Simple Goodness™ Raspberries or a Blueberry Parfait with Simplot Simple Goodness™ Blueberries has the right mix of appealing flavors and textures, while a Flame-Roasted Apple Parfait using Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Fuji Apples takes the idea to the next level.
A bright Dairy-Free Smoothie Bowl is a filling and healthy option packed with so much color from Simplot Simple Goodness™ Mango Cubes and Simplot Simple Goodness™ Strawberries that students may want to post a picture on their social media feeds.
For those students who need something extra filling and hearty that also hits today’s trends, consider a Big Breakfast Burrito. It features Simplot Harvest Fresh® Avocado Pulp, Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Unseasoned Peppers & Onions Blend, and Simplot Tater Pals™ Reduced Sodium Savory Loops Fries.
Better health outcomes, healthier weight, improved test scores, better memory, more focus—the range of benefits that result from eating breakfast is clear. A successful breakfast program that features the foods students love while ensuring easy access is essential to any K-12 operation.
1 School Nutrition Association, School Meal Statistics, 2024
2 American Academy of Pediatrics, Breakfast for Learning: Why the Morning meal Matters, 2023
3 Datassential, Menu Trends, 2024
