Merced kids meet the 49ers’ Sourdough Sam

Children at Alicia Reyes Elementary School received a special visit during breakfast Tuesday morning from Sourdough Sam, the mascot of the San Francisco 49ers.

The early-morning appearance at the Merced elementary school was part of a joint effort between California schools, the California Milk Advisory Board and the National Football League promoting, among other things, healthy eating and exercise during March, which includes National School Breakfast Week.

“Students who participate in school breakfast show improved attendance, behavior and standardized test scores, plus decreased tardiness,” the California Milk Advisory Board said in a news release.

The Merced City School District has participated in the state-funded free breakfast program for the past four years, serving about 300 breakfasts each day before school, according to Mary Williams, supervisor for the district’s nutrition services program.

“It was something we really had the need for,” she said.

The students’ meal Tuesday included parfaits, yogurt, a whole-grain honey bun, pancakes, sausage wraps and chopped fruit.

Jennifer Giambroni, communications director for the Milk Advisory Board, said her organization plans to join with California’s other two NFL teams to organize similar events throughout the state as part of the “Fuel Up to Play 60” program.

“It teaches kids tips on how to fuel up with good food, good nutrition and to have the fuel to participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day,” Giambroni said.

Principal Aaron Alexander said he was pleased the various organizations were able to come together for a good cause benefiting Merced and the 580 students at the south Merced elementary school.

This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Merced kids meet the 49ers’ Sourdough Sam."