School Breakfast Program

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) has made it possible for schools throughout the Nation to serve wholesome, low-cost breakfasts to children. Breakfasts provided through this program make an important contribution to good nutrition so vital to children's mental and physical development. Children who come to school hungry may find it difficult to stay alert and learn. The breakfast program can help close the nutrition gap by providing children with nutritious breakfasts in school.

The program offers financial assistance for each breakfast served to children, and additional financial assistance for each breakfast served free or at a reduced price to eligible needy children. Schools participating in the SBP must plan menus which meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provide essential nutrients toward the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the ages of students they are serving (1/4 RDA for breakfast). ( Dietary Guidelines and Menu Components )

In recognition of the importance of good nutrition, Congress passed Public Law 95-166 which required the USDA to restrict the sale of non-nutritious foods in participation schools. The federal regulation implementing this provision of Public Law 95-166 restricts the sale of categories of foods of minimal nutritional value (soda water, water ices, chewing gum, and certain candies such as hard candies, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondants, licorice, spun candies and candy coated popcorn) in the food service areas during meal service periods.

American School Food Service Association

Ohio Department of Education Child Nutrition Services

USDA Child Nutrition