Program participation at Sawyer Elementary has doubled since last year.

GWINN -- It's said to be the most important meal of the day.  For kids, eating breakfast can make a huge difference in how they perform at school.

The line fills the hall at Sawyer Elementary as over 200 kids wait in line for their breakfast.

Breakfast in the Classroom began this year as an initiative by the state superintendent to ensure that kids were eating breakfast.

"I think it's important for all ages," said kindergarten teacher Heather Anderson.  "I believe that the older children, like the fifth and sixth graders, are sometimes getting themselves off to school in the morning and breakfast is not the priority when they're worried about catching a bus in the morning."

Anderson says almost all of her kindergarten students eat every morning, and it makes a difference.  Research shows that eating breakfast can help reduce obesity and behavioral problems, as well as improve overall nutrient intake.

"When students eat breakfast, they do better in school," said principal Kristen Peterson.  "They do better on their homework, they have better behavior.  I think we all know when we have a nutritious breakfast, we just have a better start to our day."

The meals are different everyday, but usually include juice or milk and a piece of fruit.

Peterson says about 70 percent of the students in the school participate in the breakfast program.  She says that number is more than double of those that participated last year.

"I think they're seeing their friends eating breakfast and they want to eat breakfast, too," said Peterson.

Any student can sign up for the program.

Most students qualify for the breakfast program at a subsidized rate.