Abstract: The rationale and implementation of the federally funded School Breakfast Program for school children in Title 1 schools is described. Funds are distributed through State Education Depts. to participating schools; these funds make breakfasts meeting Federal nutrition standards available to all students, free or at a price dependent on family income. Title 1 schools for educationally-disadvantaged pupils are especially appropriate institutions fo school breakfast programs, since a lack of breakfast may contribute to poor academic achievement. Steps involved in starting a school breakfast program at a Title 1 school are described. Names and addresses of agencies are listed, including USDA Food and Nutrition Service and State Child Nutrition Program offices, which provide information on school breakfast programs.

Abstract: The rationale and implementation of the federally funded School Breakfast Program for school children in Title 1 schools is described. Funds are distributed through State Education Depts. to participating schools; these funds make breakfasts meeting Federal nutrition standards available to all students, free or at a price dependent on family income. Title 1 schools for educationally-disadvantaged pupils are especially appropriate institutions fo school breakfast programs, since a lack of breakfast may contribute to poor academic achievement. Steps involved in starting a school breakfast program at a Title 1 school are described. Names and addresses of agencies are listed, including USDA Food and Nutrition Service and State Child Nutrition Program offices, which provide information on school breakfast programs.

Participation in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is much less common than participation in the Nat. School Lunch Program, even among children with access to both programs. This report examines participation in the SBP among 3rd grade public school students, as well as the impacts of the program on food insecurity and children's risk of skipping breakfast. Students are more likely to participate when breakfast is served in the classroom, when time available for breakfast in school is longer, and when they come from lower income or time-constrained households. Children with access to the SBP are more likely to eat breakfast in the morning and that program access may enhance food security among families at the margin of food insecurity. Illus.

Food choices and eating habits are learned from many sources. The school environment plays a significant role in teaching and modeling health behaviors. For some children, foods consumed at school can provide a major portion of their daily nutrient intake. Foods and beverages consumed at school can come from two major sources: (1) Federally funded programs that include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and after-school snacks and (2) competitive sources that include vending machines, "a la carte" sales in the school cafeteria, or school stores and snack bars. Foods and beverages sold at school outside of the federally reimbursable school nutrition programs are referred to as “competitive foods” because they compete with the traditional school lunch as a nutrition source. There are important concerns about the contribution of nutrients and total calories from competitive foods to the daily diets of school-age children and adolescents. Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools offers both reviews and recommendations about appropriate nutrition standards and guidance for the sale, content, and consumption of foods and beverages at school, with attention given to foods and beverages offered in competition with federally reimbursable meals and snacks. It is sure to be an invaluable resource to parents, federal and state government agencies, educators and schools, health care professionals, food manufacturers, industry trade groups, media, and those involved in consumer advocacy.

School Meal Programs: Changes to Federal Agencies' Procedures Could Reduce Risk of School Children Consuming Recalled Food

Through the School Breakfast Program, New York City can ensure that over one million public school children receive a healthy breakfast at the start of each day. This task is critical, not only because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but also because about 725,000 of New York City's public school children come from households with incomes low enough to qualify them for free or reduced-price meals. Despite these facts, New York City's school breakfast participation rate remains low. The number of children who participate in school breakfast can, however, be markedly increased through both the expansion of the BIC program and parental engagement. Also, further study about opinions of, and experiences with, BIC can provide insight into how to strengthen and expand this successful program, and ultimately school breakfast participation. Similarly, gathering information about New York City students' breakfast habits - the what, where, and why of their breakfasts - will facilitate a better understanding of the choices and needs of New York City's public school children and their families, which can ultimately help identify additional ways to use school-based programs and initiatives to address hunger and improve child nutrition. Overall, these steps present a significant opportunity to contribute to the food security and well-being of so many of New York City's children.

The School Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It began as a pilot project in 1966, and was made permanent in 1975. The School Breakfast Program is administered at the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service. At the State level, the program is usually administered by State education agencies, which operate the program through agreements with local school food authorities in more than 87,000 schools and institutions. This paper discusses the following: (1) how the program works; (2) the nutritional requirements for school breakfasts; (3) how children may qualify for free and reduced price breakfasts; (4) the reimbursement schools get; (5) the other support schools get from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); (6) the number of children that have been served over the years; and (7) the cost of the program.