Ethan Brooks
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious breakfasts to students in public and private schools, as well as residential childcare institutions. The program is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service at the federal level and by state education agencies at the state level. Schools that participate in the program receive reimbursement for each breakfast served, with higher reimbursement rates available for schools in severe need. To apply for the School Breakfast Program, schools can contact their state agency responsible for administering the program and fill out the necessary application forms. The program aims to ensure that students have the nutrition they need to focus and learn, improving their overall health and academic achievement.
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What You'll Learn
Who can apply for the School Breakfast Program?
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded program that assists schools and agencies in providing nutritious breakfasts to children at participating schools. The program is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the state level, the program is typically administered by state education agencies, which operate in conjunction with local school food authorities.
Any student can purchase a meal through the SBP, and eligible students can receive free or reduced-price breakfasts depending on their household income. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty level qualify for reduced-price meals. Children from households above the 185% poverty level pay full price, but their meals are still subsidized to some extent. Schools may charge no more than 30 cents for a reduced-price breakfast, and they set their own prices for paid breakfasts while maintaining a non-profit meal service.
In California, the SBP is administered by the California Department of Education (CDE), which offers guidance on applying for and administering the program. Similarly, the Arizona Department of Education conducts administrative reviews of School Food Authorities (SFAs) operating the SBP. These reviews include off-site document requests and on-site meal service observations.
The SBP has been found to reduce food insecurity and increase the likelihood that children will eat breakfast. It has positive impacts on diet quality, attendance, discipline, and learning abilities. States have passed legislation to increase participation in the SBP, recognizing its importance in ensuring children's nutrition and well-being.
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What are the eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals?
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and typically through the department of education or agriculture in each state. The program provides federal funds for each breakfast served to schools and residential childcare institutions.
Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is based on a student's household income or participation in other government programs. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. Schools are required to directly certify children whose households participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for free meals through a data-matching process. This process matches school enrollment records with SNAP enrollment records at the state or school district level.
Additionally, children in households participating in other programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or who are in foster care, are categorically eligible for free meals and can be certified without submitting a school meal application. Schools can utilize state data or coordinate with school district liaisons to obtain documentation for certifying these children.
In the case of the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program, schools in low-income areas can serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students without collecting household applications for free and reduced-price meals.
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How to fill out the application form
If your child's school is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), there is no further documentation or action needed. Schools participating in CEP may, however, ask families for household income data to support other local, state, and federal funding.
If your child's school is not participating in CEP, some children may qualify for free or reduced meals, while others will have to pay for meals. Families receiving TANF and/or SNAP benefits do not have to fill out an application if they submit to the school a direct certification letter provided by the Local Department of Social Services. SNAP and/or TANF recipients may also complete an application for free and reduced-price meals, which only requires them to provide the case number, the names of the children, and an adult household signature.
You can also check if you are eligible for unemployment compensation or The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). If you are, you may also be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
If none of the above applies to you, you will need to fill out a free and reduced-price meal application at the beginning of the school year. The USDA offers prototypes (examples) of school meal applications, as well as sample instructional documents intended to assist state and local officials in the design and distribution of their own application materials. These applications are available in both paper and web-based formats and may be adapted by state or local agencies for household use.
The specific application form you will need to fill out will depend on your state and school district. For example, in California, the School Nutrition Programs Application Process requires the following forms: Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Confirmation Request (Form ID SNP-31), a copy of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Letter, and a copy of the Facility License or School Certificate, one per site. The Payee Data Record (STD. 204) requires an original signature, and the Legal Business Name and mailing address you report on the Payee Data Record must be identical to those on your IRS letter.
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$13.02 $24.95
What to expect after applying
Once you have applied for the School Breakfast Program (SBP), there are a few things to expect and keep in mind as you await a response. Firstly, the SBP is a federally assisted meal program that provides reimbursement to states to support nonprofit breakfast initiatives in schools and residential childcare institutions. The program is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
At the state level, the SBP is typically overseen by state education agencies or, in some cases, the department of agriculture. These state-level administrators operate the program through agreements with local school food authorities, who make decisions about specific foods served and their preparation. After applying, you can expect to receive communication from the relevant state agency regarding your application status and any further steps or requirements.
It is important to note that the SBP provides reimbursement for each breakfast served, and this reimbursement rate may vary based on the severity of need. Schools or institutions may qualify for higher reimbursement rates if a significant percentage of their lunches are served free or at a reduced price. Additionally, certain states or territories, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, may have higher reimbursement rates to account for unique circumstances.
While awaiting a response, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the nutritional requirements for school breakfasts. These meals must adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and typically include fruits or vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, meats or alternatives, and milk. They are also designed to be limited in sodium, calories, saturated fats, and trans fats.
Lastly, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria for students to receive free or reduced-price breakfasts. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty line are generally eligible for free meals. Additionally, children from low-income households may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on their participation in other government programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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Additional resources and support
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program that helps schools provide nutritious breakfasts to students. The program is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FNS provides links to other websites with additional information that may be useful when applying for the SBP.
At the state level, the program is typically administered by the state's department of education or agriculture through agreements with local school food authorities. To find the agency that administers the SBP in your state, check the USDA's list of state-administering agencies. State agencies are responsible for providing information on the operation of the SBP and all Child Nutrition Programs.
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) provides resources such as webinars and the Meals Matter Newsletter, which offers monthly updates on federal nutrition programs. FRAC also has a fact sheet on school breakfast in rural communities and information on how children are certified for free and reduced-price school meals.
The USDA offers an infographic with evidence-based data about the SBP and the benefits of eating breakfast. Additionally, the USDA's 'Energize Your Day with School Breakfast Toolkit' provides information on implementing and marketing a breakfast program.
The Breakfast Club of Canada also offers support for breakfast programs. Schools, School Boards/Districts, Community Organizations, and Band Councils can apply for support year-round.
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Frequently asked questions
The School Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritious breakfasts to students. It is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service and state education agencies at the state level.
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the School Breakfast Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty line are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty line are eligible for reduced-price meals. Children who already qualify for free or reduced-price lunches are also eligible for free or reduced-price breakfasts.
Any public school, nonprofit private school, or residential childcare institution can participate in the School Breakfast Program. To find the agency that administers the program in your state, check the USDA's list of state-administering agencies.
Schools receive cash reimbursements for each breakfast served. Schools may qualify for higher "severe need" reimbursements if a specified percentage of their lunches are served free or at a reduced price.
