Mackenzie Jacques, a kindergarten student at Robertson School, enjoys eating her supplied breakfast in the classroom before classes begin.

The Providence Journal / Mary Murphy

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. — Franklin likes that his breakfast comes in a bag. Alexa would prefer her mangos cut in bite-sized pieces. And Master thinks the chocolate milk has a weird aftertaste.

These are just a few of the reactions to a new program in Central Falls called Breakfast in the Classroom. At the Robertson Elementary School, children now eat their breakfast during the first 10 minutes of class instead of in a bustling cafeteria.

Supt. Frances Gallo says the program has been a big hit with students, many of whom have a hard time getting to school in time for regular breakfast. Since Breakfast in a Classroom began last month, the number of children receiving a free breakfast has jumped from 29 percent to 85 percent at Robertson Elementary, which has 239 students.

“The benefits children receive from eating a nutritious breakfast are well-documented,” Gallo said. “Research has shown that eating breakfast increases concentration and attendance, decreases disciplinary problems, yields better test scores and more.”

In Central Falls, where the poverty rate is high and the school district offers free meals to all of its 3,188 children, it is not unusual for students to come to school without having eaten a nutritious breakfast. In some cases, children arrive on an empty stomach, which is hardly conducive to learning.

Fourth-grader Master Garcia puts it this way:

“I like the food so much because six hours without food, that gives me a stomach ache,” he said. “The most thing that I hate is…milk. Chocolate milk, sometimes it has a weird aftertaste and it smells.”

When Central Falls expands Breakfast in a Classroom later this year (2009-2010), it will be the first school district in Rhode Island to offer the program system-wide, according to Dustin O’Brien, assistant food-service director for Aramark, the food-service provider, in Central Falls.

“It was a joint effort,” he said. “We pitched the idea. We went to Robertson Elementary first to see if we could pull it off. “

Every morning, Aramark preps, bags and delivers breakfast, which includes some combination of cereal bars, whole-wheat English muffins, wheat bagel or whole-grain waffle as well as milk, juice and fruit or yogurt. Breakfast comes in multicolored bags; each has a paper zipper that opens into a tray. Once the students are done, Aramark picks up the trash.

Fourth graders, who were asked to share their likes and dislikes in letters to Aramark, overwhelmingly gave the “breakfast in a bag” program a thumbs up, although there were some minor complaints.

“I like that we now [have] breakfast in the class because there is not much noise and more space,” said Daylyn. “And I would like it if you guys gave us different snacks not just apples.”

Christine, who signed her letter “your friend,” suggested putting cream cheese on the bagels, while Lucy wants gravy, mashed potatoes and a bun on Thanksgiving. And Marissa said she “likes how we get healthy, tasty food every morning and afternoon.”

“It’s a win for the school,” O’Brien said. “The more breakfast we sell, the more money goes back to the school.”

In Central Falls, the cost of providing breakfast is offset by reimbursements to the district from the federal government.

Karin Weatherill, associate director of Kids First Rhode Island, an organization that promotes healthful food choices for children, praised Gallo for brainstorming fresh ways to ensure that more children receive a healthy start.

“Fran Gallo said, “Let’s be creative, let’s work together,’” Weatherill said. “She has the custodians on board, the parents. It takes a little extra effort perhaps but it is well worth it.”

lborg@projo.com