SPOKANE, Wash. — As National School Breakfast Week highlights the importance of nutritious morning meals, Spokane Public Schools demonstrates the extensive planning required to feed thousands of students each day.
The district serves a little around 2 million breakfasts a day, a process that requires menu planning to begin over one year in advance. This lengthy timeline allows staff to navigate supply chain changes, test recipes, and train kitchen personnel on meal preparation.
The district has offered breakfast for decades but only began providing free meals to all students a few years ago.
“We have seen a huge increase in participation. We have a lot of kids who take advantage of it, which is awesome, we love to see it,” said Ellen Ramus, nutrition services area supervisor for Spokane Public Schools.
Before the pandemic, the district served an average of 8,500. That number has since jumped to 12,000 breakfasts daily.
The planning process extends beyond the annual menu development. Kitchen staff plan meals approximately six weeks in advance, calculating proper food quantities and preparing substitute meals for students with allergies.
According to the School Nutrition Association, students who eat breakfast demonstrate measurable academic and behavioral benefits. The association’s research indicates that breakfast consumption leads to higher achievement levels in reading and math, better concentration, and increased alertness during school hours.
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