Avery Collins
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded initiative that provides free and reduced-cost breakfasts to children in public and private schools, as well as childcare facilities in the United States. The program began as a pilot in 1966 and was made permanent in 1975. It is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at the federal level, with state education agencies managing it at the state level and local school food authorities operating it within schools. Schools that participate in the program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal served, and in return, they must offer breakfasts that meet federal nutritional guidelines and provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. The SBP has been shown to positively impact students' academic performance, behaviour, and psychosocial development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the program | School Breakfast Program (SBP) |
| Administering authority | Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) |
| Funding | Federally funded |
| Coverage | Public and private schools, and child care facilities in the United States |
| Eligibility | All children in participating schools and institutions |
| Income requirements | Free meals for children from families with incomes below 130% of the federal poverty level; reduced price meals for those with family incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty level |
| Cost to schools | Reimbursement rates for participating schools are $1.55 for each free breakfast, $1.25 for each reduced-price breakfast, and $0.27 for each paid breakfast |
| Nutritional requirements | Breakfasts must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and include fruits (or vegetables), whole grain-rich foods and/or meats/meat alternates, and milk. They are limited in sodium, calories, saturated fats, and trans fats. |
| Benefits | Positive impact on academic achievement, psychosocial behavior, and health |
| Participation | In FY 2018, the program provided more than 2.4 billion school breakfasts and allowed 14.8 million children to receive free or reduced-price school breakfasts |
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What You'll Learn
School Breakfast Program (SBP)
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded meal program that provides free and reduced-cost breakfasts to children at public and private schools, as well as childcare facilities in the United States. The program began as a 2-year pilot project in 1966, designed to provide grants to assist schools in serving "nutritionally needy" students. It was made permanent in 1975 for all schools that needed to improve the nutrition of their students and for higher reimbursement of the school. Federal funding is provided in the form of cash reimbursements for each breakfast served, with the amount varying based on the family income of the participating child. The most recent reimbursement rates for participating schools are $1.55 for each free breakfast, $1.25 for each reduced-price breakfast, and $0.27 for each paid breakfast. Schools may not charge more than 30 cents for a reduced-price breakfast.
The SBP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and funded by annual agricultural appropriations. Schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet federal requirements and offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children. Meals served through the SBP must meet federal nutrition standards, which were updated in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The meal pattern for breakfast includes fruits or vegetables, whole grain-rich foods and/or meats/meat alternatives, and milk. Breakfasts are also limited in sodium, calories, saturated fats, and trans fats.
In FY 2018, the SBP provided more than 2.4 billion breakfasts in the United States, with approximately 14.7 million students receiving free or reduced-price breakfasts. This was a significant increase from FY 1989, when 3.8 million students received free or reduced-price breakfasts. Research has shown that participation in the SBP has positive effects on students' academic achievement, with higher test scores and lower levels of absenteeism. It also helps to reduce food insecurity and is associated with children having a lower body mass index (BMI).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of meals through the SBP was disrupted, and the USDA issued waivers to allow for flexibilities in the implementation of the program and expanded the scope of its Seamless Summer Option (SSO). These waivers expired in June 2022. The cost of producing school meals has been a challenge for many schools, with high costs and insufficient federal reimbursements. The average reported cost to produce a school breakfast exceeded the average free breakfast subsidy by 84 cents.
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Positive impact on students
While not all US high schools offer breakfast, there is a federally assisted School Breakfast Program in place in over 78,000 public and private schools and residential child care institutions. This program has a positive impact on students in several ways.
Firstly, students who eat breakfast at school have better attendance rates and are less likely to be tardy. This is especially true for students from low-income families, who may struggle to afford breakfast at home. School breakfast programs ensure that all children have access to a nutritious morning meal, regardless of their family's financial situation.
Secondly, eating breakfast improves students' cognitive function, including memory and attention. This leads to better academic performance, with higher test scores and improved classroom participation. Students who eat breakfast are also more likely to be engaged and attentive in class, creating a more productive learning environment.
Additionally, school breakfast programs have been linked to improved student behavior. Students who eat breakfast exhibit decreased behavioral and psychological problems, including lower rates of anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity. They are also less likely to cause distractions and have improved social skills, making it easier for them to get along with their peers.
Finally, school breakfast programs can help address food insecurity and reduce hunger among students. This is particularly important for teenagers, who are more likely to face suspension and other disciplinary issues if they are hungry. By providing access to nutritious meals, school breakfast programs can help improve students' overall health and well-being.
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Funding and reimbursements
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded meal program that provides cash subsidies to assist schools with the cost of meeting federal nutrition requirements while providing nutritious breakfasts to students. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and funded by annual agricultural appropriations. Schools that participate in the SBP receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each meal they serve and, in return, must serve breakfasts that meet federal requirements and offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children.
The SBP was first introduced as a 2-year pilot project in 1966, designed to provide grants to assist schools serving "nutritionally needy" students. It was permanently authorized in 1975 for all schools that needed to provide better nutrition for their students and higher reimbursements. Schools in the SBP are reimbursed for all eligible breakfasts served, with the reimbursement rates set each year by the USDA. The most current reimbursement rates for participating schools are $1.55 for each free breakfast, $1.25 for each reduced-price breakfast, and $0.27 for each paid breakfast. Schools that serve free or reduced-price meals to more than 40% of their students may receive a higher reimbursement rate, which can be up to $0.30 more than the standard rates. Additionally, schools in Hawaii and Alaska receive higher reimbursement rates than schools in the contiguous United States.
The SBP is the second-largest targeted food aid program administered by the FNS, feeding 16 million children as of 2010. The program has shown positive impacts on students' academic achievement, with higher standardized test scores and lower levels of absenteeism. It has also been linked to improved psychosocial behavior and a positive impact on memory, concentration, energy, endurance, and mood.
The funding for the SBP comes from annual agricultural appropriations, with Congress appropriating the funds for the program each fiscal year. For example, in fiscal year 2003, Congress appropriated $1.68 billion for the SBP, an increase from $1.54 billion in fiscal year 2002. The cost of the program has increased over the years, with a cost of $10.8 million in 1970, $86.1 million in 1975, $287.8 million in 1980, $379.3 million in 1985, $596.2 million in 1990, and $1.05 billion in 1995.
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Nutritional requirements
The School Breakfast Program is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA. The program is designed to improve the diet and health of school children and help mitigate the childhood obesity trend by enhancing the nutritional quality of school meals.
The nutritional requirements for the School Breakfast Program are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Schools are required to serve certain items as part of each reimbursable meal, including:
- Two servings of whole grains (meat or meat alternates may be used in place of one serving of grain)
- One cup of nonfat or low-fat milk (flavored milk is also permitted)
- Fruits and vegetables
Schools are also encouraged to incorporate more plant-based, cultural, and local foods into their meal programs.
In addition to these requirements, schools must also meet specific sodium and added sugar limits. The sodium reduction targets aim to decrease students' sodium intakes to less than the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, which range from 1,900 to 2,300 milligrams per day for children aged 4-18. The added sugar limitations will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and the second phase starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
By participating in the School Breakfast Program, schools receive cash reimbursements from the USDA for each meal they serve. In return, they must offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children based on their household income levels.
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School meal statistics
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded meal program that provides free and reduced-cost breakfasts to children in public and private schools, as well as childcare facilities in the United States. The program is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
As of 2010, the SBP was the second-largest food aid program administered by the FNS, feeding 16 million children. By 2018, the program provided over 2.4 billion school breakfasts, allowing 14.8 million children to receive free or reduced-price meals. Schools that participate in the SBP receive cash subsidies from the USDA for each meal they serve and, in return, must offer breakfasts that meet federal nutritional requirements.
The SBP has been shown to positively impact students' academic achievement, attendance, and psychosocial behavior. Students who eat school breakfast have been found to achieve 17.5% higher scores on standardized math tests and attend 1.5 more days of school per year. Additionally, male participants in one study reported feeling more positive after eating a nutritious breakfast, while both male and female students reported feeling more alert.
Despite the benefits of the SBP, there are challenges with funding and participation. The average cost of producing a school breakfast exceeds the average free breakfast subsidy, creating financial strain for schools. Schools may also struggle with tight schedules that limit participation in traditional cafeteria breakfast programs. However, schools are finding innovative ways to increase participation, such as grab-and-go options or serving breakfast in the classroom.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is another federal program that allows high-poverty schools to serve meals at no cost to all enrolled students, ensuring equal access to nutritious meals. The USDA also provides technical training and assistance to help schools prepare healthy meals and offers nutrition education to students.
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Frequently asked questions
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded meal program that provides free and reduced-cost breakfasts to children at public and private schools, and child care facilities in the United States.
Generally, public or private schools of high school grade or under may participate in the School Breakfast Program. Schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children.
School breakfasts must meet the applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are designed to ensure that students enter the classroom well-nourished and ready to learn. The meal pattern for breakfast includes fruits (or vegetables), whole grain-rich foods and/or meats/meat alternates, and milk. Breakfasts are also limited in sodium, calories, saturated fats, and trans fats.
The cost of the School Breakfast Program has varied over the years. For example, in 2003, Congress appropriated $1.68 billion for the program, up from $1.54 billion in 2002. The most current reimbursement rates for participating schools are $1.55 for each free breakfast, $1.25 for each reduced-price breakfast, and $0.27 for each paid breakfast.
