What better way to start the day than with an organic Build Your Own Parfait bar?
At De Anza High School in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), we tested a fresh new twist on a breakfast staple, and students lined up out the door to get a taste. The Build Your Own Parfait bar offered an engaging, delicious way to elevate an everyday school breakfast item using fresh, local, organic ingredients.
Made with delicious yogurt from Straus Family Creamery, sweet berries from Mimi’s Organic Farm, and crunchy granola from Nature’s Path Organic, the parfaits were 100% organic and 100% delicious. The best part? This breakfast concept is easy to replicate in schools everywhere — even those without a full kitchen. With minimal prep, thoughtful sourcing, and a little creativity, school food teams can offer students a beautiful, nourishing start to their day.
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Collaboration and Vision
This breakfast event was created in collaboration with Barbara Jellison, Executive Director of Food Services at WCCUSD, a longtime leader and advocate for bringing fresh, local, organic food to students. Barbara and her team have consistently shown what’s possible when schools partner with local producers and embrace small, meaningful changes that lead to big impacts.
For De Anza High School food service Team Lead Alma, the parfait bar was more than a fun breakfast activity — it was a glimpse into the future of school meals. She’s excited to start serving BYO style once a week, with the ultimate goal of serving this way every day.
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Why It Works
The Build Your Own Parfait bar embodies what Conscious Kitchen and WCCUSD are working toward — accessible, scalable solutions that make organic food approachable, engaging, and exciting. Giving students the autonomy to assemble their own parfaits and experiment with textures and flavors, builds curiosity and confidence.
And participation was through the roof! High school students, who can sometimes be a hard group to influence, eagerly lined up for their turn. For some, it was their first time trying the school’s parfait, and they loved it. By meeting students where they are, and offering familiar foods with a fresh twist, we are reimagining what school breakfast can look like.
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Scaling the Movement
Our goal is to see this organic breakfast served in school kitchens across the state — simple, delicious, and made from local ingredients. We invite schools, districts, and community partners to join us. Together, we can make organic breakfasts a reality for every student, every day.