Quotable

"If schools could improve participation so they reach 60 children with breakfast for every 100 that also eat lunch, FRAC estimates that an additional 2.5 million low-income children would be added to the breakfast program and states would have received an additional $611 million in child nutrition funding. States should not dismiss these dollars and should start looking at proven ways to boost participation, like serving breakfast in the classroom."

Jim Weill
President, Food Research and Action Center FRAC
In news release about FRAC's School Breakfast Scorecard
January, 2011

The School Breakfast Program

Why is the School Breakfast Program so important to children, to their health and scholastic performance?

  • In 2010, nearly one in four American children (17.2 million) lived in food insecure households.
  • Less than half (47%) of low-income children who received school lunch also participated in the breakfast program
  • The benefits of Classroom Breakfast are astounding:
    • Improvements in attendance
    • A reduction in tardiness
    • Fewer stomachaches and visits to the school nurse
    • Increased test scores
    • Fewer disciplinary problems
    • Improved diets
    • Reduction in obesity rates

Why is increasing participation important for your school or district?

  • Classroom Breakfast successfully reaches children, and consistently receives enthusiastic support from principals, teachers, and custodial staff
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See current School Breakfast Program statistics

  • The School Breakfast Program is a federal (and state) funded program available to all schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program
  • Today, about 87,000 schools serve breakfast to 11.3 million children, while over 99,000 schools provide school lunch to 32 million children.
  • Every school, public or private non-profit, or residential child-care institution, is eligible to receive federal funds for a breakfast program.
  • Breakfast served as part of the School Breakfast Program provide one-fourth or more of the daily recommended levels for key nutrients that children need each day. School breakfast menus must be planned so that no more than 30% of the calories come from fat and less than 10% come from saturated fat.

School Breakfast

School Lunch
Number of schools serving: 87,000 99,700
Number of children served: 11.3 million 31.6 million

For more info, see the FRAC fact sheet.

Breakfast BREAKS

Breakfast BREAKS evolved from the simple concept that to feed more children, bring the food to them rather than expect them to come to the food. This grab 'n go is now in eco-friendly pouch packaging that reduces waste by 63%!

  • Breakfast BREAKS are a cornerstone to successful Classroom Breakfast programs because they are:
    • Portable
    • Convenient
    • Nutritious
    • Affordable
    • Eco-friendly
    • Kid-friendly