In late February, Principal Michael Miller sent out a survey to all students interested in having a mobile breakfast cart that the Food Service department would input. Once it made enrollment on March 16, the Berry Express has been providing students with a quick and easy breakfast near the school’s entrance.
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day as it fuels and restores energy. Earlier in the school year, whenever it’s not served on two-hour delays, some students miss out on breakfast and would have to wait until lunch. In order to provide more availability, the Director of Food and Nutrition Services Josh Skinner and his assistant Kelsey Miller worked on organizing a mobile food cart including the orders, menu and a service team.
“The menu was created and has to follow certain nutritional guidelines and what’s allowable from the state,” Miller said. “So that’s something that Mrs. Miller was looking specifically at what we can offer, what would the items be in which we feel would meet the needs of our student, and meet the needs also with the mobile breakfast cart.”
He recorded that breakfast was being served from 80 to 90 meals on average, but the Berry Express increased that amount to almost 240 meals a day.
Among the meals, they may consist of yogurt and milk products offered by the American Dairy Association of Indiana. With the addition of breakfast being free and through a grant, the Food Service Department made the Berry Express impactful.
“You have to meet certain criteria from the state’s guidelines for the district to be eligible for that,” Miller said. “Our community meets those needs and so I’m just really thankful as a principal to be able to have that opportunity for students and eliminate a financial barrier for our families across the district to allow us to be able to offer free breakfast and lunch.”
Figuring out how many meals to prepare and having the right items gets challenging for food service worker Michelle Helvie, but she finds enjoyment in serving.
“In the beginning, students were pretty quiet and weren’t really sure about the Mobile Cart,” Helvie said. “Now, they know we will be there every morning, even on two-hour delays, ready to serve them. They have come out of their shell so to speak. They tell us they like our breakfast, especially if they are running late and didn’t get a chance to eat before arriving.”
Students have a choice to walk by and pick up breakfast from the Berry Express or wait in line in the cafeteria downstairs. This becomes adaptable to junior Sofia Herrera’s routine.
“It hasn’t changed so much. I really don’t get breakfast [in the cafeteria],” Herrera said. “But I woke up late today so it’s really nice to be able to get food and not have to go to the line. It’s faster up there.”
The Berry Express continues to be part of the school’s morning routine, but this is just its starting point.
“It doesn’t necessarily affect Logansport High School, but it affects the expansion of how it’s been successful here,” Miller said. “Mrs. Miller actually just recently applied for a second grant for this and was awarded a second mobile breakfast cart that is going to be provided at the Junior High School beginning next year.”
Miller was also told by representatives from the American Dairy Association that they may come and see how the Berry Express is operating to potentially expand it. According to Herrera, it is important for students to have multiple options regarding breakfast.
“I know a lot of people like the Uncrustables so that’s probably what I’ll be looking forward to in the morning,” Herrera said. “Just like if I was up late again next year, I’ll probably look forward to trying to get some food.”
With more student involvement, the expansion of mobile food carts is a likelihood.
“It is hard to study, pay attention, and learn when you are hungry,” Helvie said. “Breakfast is and always will be an important start to your day.”
