La Verne Alum Dr. Robert Lewis Receives National No Kid Hungry Breakfast Champion Award

A University of La Verne alumnus received an award in June from a national anti-hunger organization for feeding 10,000 students breakfast every morning.

Dr. Robert Lewis, who heads the nutrition services department for the El Monte City School District, was awarded the “No Kid Hungry Breakfast Champion Award” from Share Our Strength. It’s an organization founded in 1984 in response to Ethiopian famine.

Lewis, who received his master’s degree in public administration in 2003 and his doctorate in public administration in 2008, launched the free breakfast program in 2013, and a free supper program in 2012. Both programs operate district wide.

Share Our Strength awarded Lewis, district Superintendent Dr. Maribel Garcia, project coordinator Lorena Quezada and all fourteen school principals within the school district for the program.

Students and community members attended the awards ceremony, which was co-hosted by Blake Michael, star of Disney Channel’s original hit series, Dog With a Blog! as well as television celebrity chef, Melissa d’Arabian. Both celebrities support anti-hunger programs for children.

Lewis obtained a grant for the breakfast program through Share Our Strength. It funded equipment such as food transport carts, and thermal packs, which are used for hot meals and cold milk. Students who receive meals are in preschool through the eighth grade.

“The kids run the program for us, which is awesome,” said Lewis. “We set up the carts, the kids take it to the classes, the teachers keep note of who eats, and we input that information into a computer which keeps track of the program.”

Lewis earned his master’s degree and doctorate through La Verne’s adult-learning CAPA program. He has more than 25 years’ experience as a food service director, the last six being in El Monte. Lewis says his advanced degrees are critical to what he’s doing now.

“I concentrated in collaborative public policy, and it’s really come into play, because in order to make this breakfast program happen, we’ve needed collaboration from administrators, teachers, parents, and custodial staff. That collaboration was essential; we couldn’t have done it without everyone involved,” Lewis said.

The district has seen a jump in student attendance since the program has been in place. It’s a sign of success that district officials are pleased to see, because that means more state funding and better student grades.

“Our meals are nutritionally balanced, blood sugars are more regulated, and teachers have noticed a difference in the classroom,” Lewis said.

The breakfast includes whole grains, low-fat proteins and low-fat or non-fat milk.

“We include our students in the decision making process, and ask them to do taste testing in our central kitchen. The kids enjoy being involved, love the tours, and are especially impressed when they see our 40,000 square foot freezer!” said Lewis.

Sandip Kaur, Director of Nutrition Services for the California Department of Education, came to see the program first hand. A video about the program, made by the California School Board Association, is being used as a model for the state and is used for training other school districts, who want to bring breakfast into the classroom.

Lewis also received an award from the mayor of El Monte in January for his work.

“It’s been a phenomenal year and such an honor,” said Lewis.