School Breakfast Program

History:
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) originally began as a pilot project in 1966, but was made permanent by Congress in 1975. This federal child nutrition program funds nutritionally balanced breakfasts for students in public or private schools. All students are eligible to participate, but students who qualify under income guidelines receive breakfast for free or at a reduced-price.

At the federal level, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the SBP. In New York State, the State Education Department (SED) administers the program to local school districts.

Eligibility:
In order for schools to participate in the SBP and receive reimbursement, each meal served must meet the USDA’s nutritional guidelines. In New York State, all elementary school and ‘severe need’ schools that provide lunch are mandated to operate a SBP. However, under circumstances, these schools may apply for a waiver to not serve breakfast.

Like the National School Lunch Program, students qualify for a free or reduced-price breakfast based on household income. To receive a free breakfast, the child must live in a household with an income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. For a reduced-price breakfast (25 cents in NYS), the child must live in a household with an income between 130% and 185% of poverty. Children from households with over 185% poverty may eat the same meal for a price determined by the school.

Benefits/Meal Components:
Children from low-income families that meet income guidelines can eat a nutritious meal for free or at a reduced-price. Meal components include: milk, a serving of fruit/vegetable, and bread/grains or a meat/protein source.

Funding:
The SBP is a federal entitlement program. Therefore, federal reimbursement must be provided to all schools that apply and meet the program’s eligibility criteria. SED administers reimbursement money to participating schools.

How to Apply:
Applications for free and reduced-priced meals are mailed to households at the beginning of each school year and are available from the school throughout the rest of the school year. The application is the same for both breakfast and lunch. Students from households that receive food stamps and/or TANF may submit a direct certification letter to schools instead of an application.

Studies continue to show that a daily breakfast is essential to the health and well-being of growing children. Often, hectic morning schedules and early bus rides ride prevent children from eating at home. Breakfast at school provides children with the opportunity for good nutrition before the academic day.

Students who eat breakfast at school achieve higher test scores, have better school attendance, and create fewer classroom behavior problems. However, participation in the SBP remains low due to various barriers such as late bus schedules, not enough time to eat before class begins, pressure to arrive to class on time, and stigma.

To address these barriers, many districts throughout New York State are incorporating alternative methods of serving “Breakfast After the Bell” in schools:

Grab and Go: A bagged, hand-held meal picked up in a high-traffic area such as a school lobby. Convenient for students to eat on the go or in the classroom.
Breakfast on the Bus: Pre-bagged meal provided to students when getting on the bus, or served to students on the bus while waiting to enter the school. Students who have long bus rides are able to eat and garbage is thrown out when students leave the bus.
Breakfast After First Period: Ideal for high schools, breakfast service time is extended until after the first academic class. This allows for students to eat a snack or incorporate a morning meal into a routine.
Universal Classroom Breakfast: All students eat breakfast in the classroom during morning announcements. Meal is delivered to classroom and since all children eat, reducing the stigma that only low-income children eat breakfast at school.