PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aramark, a leading provider of school food and nutrition services to more than 3,000 K-12 schools, joins school districts throughout the country in celebrating National School Breakfast Week (NSBW), March 3-7, 2014.  Sponsored by the School Nutrition Association, NSBW highlights the proven benefits to students who eat breakfast at school including increased classroom participation, higher test scores, greater focus and decreased likelihood of obesity.

This year's theme - "Take Time for School Breakfast" - focuses on the significance of offering students breakfast options that accommodate their busy schedules and hectic morning routines.  Whether running for the bus or making time to socialize with friends, today's students are busier than ever. In fact, according to Student ViewPoint™, Aramark's proprietary research, 32% of students surveyed cited not having enough time before class to eat breakfast at school.  Yet, 50% of students surveyed say they would eat breakfast if offered from a cart or in the classroom.  

"Our top priority is to ensure that students have nutritious meals to start their day so they are well nourished and ready to learn," said Jeff Gilliam, President, Aramark Education. "We work closely with our school district partners to find the best solution to meet the changing needs and schedules of students. In many districts, we've added mobile breakfast offerings that have significantly increased student participation."

Aramark has developed several breakfast delivery options to help students receive the nutrients they need to excel during the day, including Breakfast Carts in high traffic areas which enable students to grab a nutritious, healthy breakfast on the way to their first class; Breakfast in the Classroom which conveniently delivers nutritious breakfasts to students right at their desks; and the traditional Breakfast in the Cafeteria with hot and cold meal options served in convenient breakfast bags in the cafeteria setting. 

Portability is a growing trend throughout many districts.  In the past several years, Aramark has seen a marked increase in the number of school districts successfully implementing Breakfast Carts and/or the Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) programs. For example, the Chicago Public Schools district has increased the number of Breakfast Carts in high schools across the city. At Lindblom Math and Science Academy High School, the number of students participating in the breakfast program increased by over 300% in just three months since breakfast carts were added. 

Aramark is committed to improving childhood nutrition and creating healthier school environments through nutritious meal offerings and wellness education. To learn more, please visit www.myhealthyforlife.com.

About Aramark Education
To help support the K-12 educational mission, Aramark Education provides a complete range of food, facility, uniform and other support services to more than 500 school districts in the U.S. Aramark Education offers public and private education institutions a family of dining and facility services including: on-site and off-site breakfast and lunch meal programs; after-school and summer meals; catering; nutrition education; retail design and operations; maintenance, custodial, grounds, energy management, construction management, and building commissioning. For more information on Aramark's K-12 food and facility services programs, please visit www.aramarkschools.com.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play.  United by a passion to serve, our more than 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 22 countries around the world every day.  Aramark is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is included in our forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. 

Contact: Kelly Banaszak (215)238-3559
Banaszak-Kelly@aramark.com

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SOURCE Aramark