Nearly half of all children in the U.S. live in low-income families, and more than one in five living in poverty. Not to mention, the price of groceries is rapidly outpacing wages, with no end to rising costs. Times are hard for families, but the School Breakfast Program reimburses states that operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions.
The federal School Breakfast Program (SBP) delivers nutritious food to children in public and nonprofit private schools. Starting in 1966 as a pilot project and being made into a permanent entitlement program by Congress in 1975, SBP guarantees that over 15 million children have access to a healthy breakfast annually.
The School Breakfast Program is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies. The federal government provides funding and sets national standards, while state education agencies partner with local school food authorities to implement the program.
According to the School Nutrition Association, children who eat breakfast are more likely to:
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is mostly run by public or nonprofit private schools for students in high school and younger. Public or nonprofit private residential childcare institutions can also join the SBP, as can charter schools since they are considered public schools.
Schools that decide to participate must serve breakfast that meets federal nutrition standards. They must also offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to children who qualify. In return, these schools receive cash payments from the USDA for each eligible meal they serve.
The program offers two main components:
In addition to federal funding, many states offer additional support for the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Some states provide funding to help schools serve breakfast at no cost to all students, particularly in high-poverty areas. This is often done through programs like universal breakfast, where all students can receive breakfast without having to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
State funding can also be used to improve meal quality, enhance school nutrition programs, or help schools expand breakfast offerings, such as providing breakfast in the classroom or after the bell.
Each state has its own approach to supporting the SBP, and the level of funding and the specifics of the programs can vary. Schools can access additional state resources through local education agencies or state education departments.
All school breakfasts must meet federal nutrition standards. Local school food authorities decide which foods to serve and how to prepare them.
The SBP meal pattern outlines the required components and serving sizes for breakfast meals in U.S. schools. It includes:
Nutritional standards include limits on calories, saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium. By 2027, schools must meet stricter limits on added sugars and sodium.
These standards guarantee that American children eat a balanced and healthy breakfast at school, no matter their income level or where they live.
Children can get free meals if they are “categorically eligible.” This means they are part of certain Federal Assistance Programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They can also qualify if they are homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care.
Children who are in a federally-funded Head Start Program or a similar State-funded pre-kindergarten program are also categorically eligible for free meals.
Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level can also get free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can receive reduced price meals. Schools can charge no more than 30 cents for a reduced price breakfast.
To participate in the School Breakfast Program (SBP), families typically do not need to apply separately. If the school participates in SBP, breakfast is available to all students. However, if the family qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, they must apply through the school district. The food is served at the beginning of the school day in designated areas, and students can access it based on eligibility. The program is managed at the local level by school food authorities, which communicate participation details to families.
To apply for free or reduced-price meals, families must complete an application through their child's school or school district. The application typically requires information about household income, family size, and other factors. Once submitted, the school reviews the application to determine eligibility, and families are notified about their child's meal status.
