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Blaine House Reception

Governor John Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci Showcase The New Look of School Breakfast to Feed More Hungry Maine Schoolchildren

Maine Culinary Programs Give School Breakfast a New Look

Health and education leaders had an opportunity to hear about an exciting new school breakfast initiative while sampling specially prepared, creative breakfast dishes at an event March 6 hosted by Governor John E. Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci at the Blaine House. 

Blaine House 3-A-Day of Dairy Celebration 

First Lady Karen Baldacci spoke on the importance of breakfast for Maine children, while Gail Lombardi, Education Specialist with the Maine Department of Education’s School Nutrition Program, introduced the New Look of School Breakfast, an initiative designed to get more school children eating breakfast. “While the benefits of breakfast are well-documented and many Maine schools offer it, only 44% of children currently eating school lunch choose to eat school breakfast.  The New Look of School Breakfast aims to change that.” says Lombardi.  Pilot studies have shown when schools offer creative programs such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab-n-Go Breakfasts and Breakfast After 1st Period, children get excited about jump starting their day with a healthy meal which leads to healthier, better behaved and more productive students. According to Lombardi, eating a nutritious breakfast is also a great way for children to be on target to meet their daily needs for key nutrients including calcium. 

Leaders from the Maine Dietetic Association, the Maine Academy of Family Physicians, the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Maine School Food Service Association sampled each of the breakfast dishes prepared by Maine’s Community College instructors and students, selecting their favorite for the People’s Choice Award. Suzzanah Benoit and Nate Hopkins, student chefs from Central Maine Community College who created savory Fresh Herb Breadwiches received this year’s award and $500 scholarships. The Maine Dairy Promotion Board asked chef instructors to challenge their students to create their most dairy-delicious breakfast recipes, each providing 20% of the Daily Value for calcium.  Recipes had to use cow’s milk, cheese or yogurt as one of the main ingredients. 

Blaine House 3-A-Day of Dairy Celebration

Blaine House 3-A-Day of Dairy Celebration

Blaine House 3-A-Day of Dairy Celebration

Blaine House 3-A-Day of Dairy Celebration

By showcasing the work of some of Maine’s up and coming chefs, the event also celebrated our state’s five outstanding Community College culinary arts programs.  York County Community College, Southern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, Eastern Maine Community College and Washington County Community College all participated.

 

 

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Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council

Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council • Maine Dairy Promotion Board
333 Cony Road • Augusta, ME 04330
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