Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe and Agriculture Deputy Secretary for Farm, Food, and Market Access Heidi Secord were joined by the American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), Philadelphia Eagles legends and cheerleaders, as well as Eagles mascot SWOOP to celebrate the Governor’s School Breakfast Champions during an event at Lincoln Financial Field. The Breakfast Champions represented the top ten schools with the greatest participation in the third annual Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge.
The Challenge recognizes schools for increasing participation in school breakfast to set students up for success and implementing sustainable changes that incorporate more nutritious and local foods in their meal offerings, including prioritizing low-sugar and locally sourced options.
“Investing in the wellness of students is more than just dollars and cents, it’s the commitment of school administrators and employees to finding creative ways to provide meals that are nutritious, locally sourced, and taste good,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “The benefits of starting your day with a healthy meal are well known, and because of the Shapiro Administration’s investments in free breakfast, students across the Commonwealth—no matter where they live—can receive those benefits every day.”
This year, 68 schools successfully completed the Challenge. The top 10 2026 Governor’s Breakfast Champions recognized today were:
- Colonial Elementary School, Colonial School District, Montgomery County
- Conshohocken Elementary School, Colonial School District, Montgomery County
- Fairview Elementary School, Crestwood School District, Luzerne County
- East Stroudsburg High School South, East Stroudsburg Area School District, Monroe County
- Easton Area Middle School, Easton Area School District, Northampton County
- Forest City Regional Elementary School, Forest City Regional School District, Susquehanna County
- Penn Kidder Campus, Jim Thorpe Area School District, Carbon County
- Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship, Allegheny County
- Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Wayne County
- Summitview Elementary School, Waynesboro Area School District, Franklin County
While the top 10 schools with the greatest increase in participation were recognized at the event, all schools that successfully completed the challenge will receive a banner to hang in their school, a certificate, and a breakfast recipe book including recipes submitted by schools that completed the Challenge.
“Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers work hard every day to produce wholesome foods that help nourish our communities,” said John Chrisman, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. “For students, a nutritious breakfast with dairy foods like milk, yogurt and cheese provides important nutrients, including high-quality protein and calcium, to help fuel both mind and body for a successful day of learning. We’re proud to celebrate these schools for making breakfast a priority and helping Pennsylvania students start their day ready to learn, grow and thrive.”
