The Most Important Meal of the Day | Families

I never liked eating breakfast, but I ate it. Probably because I had a good mother. Everyday she'd deliver the line every good mother delivers to her young 'It's the most important meal of the day' and then she'd make me 'eat something' so I'd be ready to learn.

I know now how lucky I was. Not only because I had a good mom who made me eat, but because I came from a home where there was healthy, nutritious food. Such is not always the case.

And now, Spokane Public Schools is picking up where the mother or home can't. It's hosting a pilot program at three elementary schools offering free breakfast to every student. Students at Stevens, Logan and Holmes will get in on the free early morning meals. The goal is to get breakfast participation up to 70 percent, that's where the district breaks even between federal government subsidies and the cost of the meal.

Ten of the District's highest need elementary schools will also receive fresh fruits and vegetables like pineapple, jicama, pea pods, apples and grapes. Lunch menus now include soy and lactose-free milk and vegetarian options.

Kids get healthy meals at school and the District is even making things easier for parents. They can now pay for school meals online.