Ernel Rubio, Barny’s manager, told the Variety that the school breakfast campaign will culminate on June 7, 2011.
“We will have Garapan Elementary School as our pilot school for School Breakfast Detectives, and we will see if we can extend the campaign to other schools in the future,” Rubio said.
He said “School Breakfast Detectives” is a fun, private-eye themed campaign allowing students to “clue into” the importance of school breakfast and “uncover” how eating school breakfast sets you up for a busy day at school.
At 7 a.m. on Monday, GES students will join the campaign characters Cassie Day and Marlowe Darrington, on the Search for Super Energy. The search welcomes students to submit creative designs for the “School Breakfast Detectives” book cover contest or sharpen their investigative skills with a number of nutrition puzzles.
Rubio said even though breakfast is important to the academic achievement of students, many of the children miss out on the most critical meal of the day.
He said numerous investigations have shown that breakfast can improve a student’s memory, test scores, school attendance and cut down on visits to the school nurse.
“Research has also shown that children who eat breakfast each day have a higher intake of vitamins and minerals and maintain a healthier weight than those who skip,” Rubio added.
He said Barny’s Pizza, through the Public School System-Food and Nutrition Service’s breakfast program, offers students the healthy foods they need to keep on track during their busy school day.
The school breakfasts that meet the federal nutrition standards limiting fat and portion size are available from 7 to 8 a.m. every day. The students pay 50 cents but it is free for eligible children.
Rubio said the breakfast program is a great option for children who aren’t ready for breakfast when they roll out of bed.
“The morning routine for many families can be so hectic, and some children just aren’t hungry before they leave for school,” Rubio said.
“Knowing that your child can eat a healthy breakfast once they get to school can be a huge relief for parents,” he added.
“School Breakfast Detectives” was created by the non-profit School Nutrition Association —of which Barny’s Pizza is a member — in collaboration with the GES PTA Leadership, Yaong Corporation and Micronesian Brokers Inc.
Rubio said Barny’s Food Service serves about 800 breakfasts to Garapan Elementary School students every day.
