The beet

At Winnisquam Regional School District, creating greater access to nutritious meals for students has become a true community effort, and that effort is making a measurable impact. Recently, Winnisquam High School hosted a special celebration recognizing the incredible work of the Fresh Picks Cafe team and their partnership with Jacqueline McGettigan in advancing student food access initiatives throughout the district. 

The event highlighted the collaboration between the Fresh Picks Cafe team and Jacqueline, whose dedication and leadership have helped transform breakfast participation at the high school level. Together, they played a key role in planning and executing a successful breakfast tasting event designed to introduce students to appealing, accessible breakfast options while encouraging participation in the school breakfast program. 

In addition to the tasting event, the team also helped facilitate the implementation of a flexible “Breakfast After the Bell” model at Winnisquam High School. This innovative approach allows students greater access to breakfast during the school day, helping remove common barriers that can prevent participation. Since launching the initiative, the district has seen nearly double the breakfast participation at the high school, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the power of thoughtful, student-centered solutions. 

As a result of these efforts, Winnisquam has experienced the highest percentage increase in breakfast participation in the state of New Hampshire. The district was recently honored as the New Hampshire 2026 School Breakfast Champion, while Jacqueline McGettigan received the prestigious School Breakfast Hero Award in recognition of her commitment to supporting students and families. 

To celebrate the occasion, complimentary breakfast smoothie samples were served to students and staff, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere that reflected the excitement surrounding the program’s success. 

The recognition serves as a testament to what can happen when school nutrition teams, district staff, and community partners work together with a shared mission: ensuring every student has access to the fuel they need to learn, grow, and succeed.