A new pilot program at some Monroe County schools has allowed students to grab breakfast and go to class.

During National School Breakfast Week (March 4-8), Coordinated School Health kicked off the Grab and Go Breakfast program for students at Tellico Plains Junior High School, Rural Vale Elementary School and Coker Creek Elementary School,

"It's a second chance breakfast for kids who don't get to eat at home," said Coordinator Lacey Mason.

Through a $2,000 grant awarded by the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. (SUDIA), Coordinated School Health was able to implement the promotion of this breakfast program. The program allows students that miss the serving line during breakfast to have a second chance to go to the cafeteria and "grab and go."

"If they missed the regular breakfast, students can go through the serving line and get a sack full of breakfast items to take back to class and eat," said Mason.

During the kickoff week, students that went to either regular breakfast or through Grab and Go received different items, such as a pencil and bookmark. Students were also entered for a chance to win an iPad.  

See full story in the Wednesday, March 20, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.