Ogdensburg Free Academy is now home to a breakfast cart that allows students to have more convenient access to healthy meals in the morning and is a welcome source of revenue.

The $3,000 cart was obtained through a grant from Kellogg’s filed last year.

“Before we got the cart we were [feeding] about 90 to 110 [students at breakfast],” Brian R. Mitchell, school cafeteria manager, said. “Now we are anywhere between 160 and 190 a day.”

The bright red breakfast cart is mobile, and Mr. Mitchell sets it up by the main entrance. Before OFA got the cart, at the beginning of December, students had to go to the cafeteria and walk through the line.

“I set it right up by the front door so when the kids come in they can get it and go,” said Mr. Mitchell.

So far the cart has been a success.

Mr. Mitchell said in just 10 days they have served 494 more breakfasts than they did in the same time period last year.

Mr. Mitchell said that adds up to “about an extra $125 a day in revenue.” He estimates the breakfast cart will net roughly $17,000 for the cafeteria by the end of this school year.

“We’re really hoping to get those free and reduced (meal program) kids to grab at the cart and take it with them,” said Mr. Mitchell.

Breakfast costs $1.50 for students without free or reduced meals.

Mr. Mitchell added that the school has made breakfast free for reduced meal program students.

Superintendent Timothy M. Vernsey said the breakfast cart is “fantastic.”

“The kids come right in the door and head straight for it,” he said. “The more kids that eat breakfast, the better.”

Mr. Mitchell said the breakfast cart came with an umbrella. In warmer months, he hopes to set up outside the building.

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