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Description
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Provides nutritionally balanced breakfasts
in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare
institutions. |
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Provides cash subsidies and donated
commodities to schools for each meal served. The current (July 1,
2007 through June 30, 2008) basic cash reimbursement rates: Free
Breakfasts - $1.35; Reduced-Price Breakfasts - $1.05; Paid
Breakfasts - $0.24. |
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Requires that breakfasts meet the
applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
and provide one-third of the
Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C,
iron, calcium and calories. |
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Provides cash reimbursement to State
administering agencies for meals served through operating agreements
with school districts. The USDA provides additional support through
its Team Nutrition initiative, including technical training and
assistance to school food service staff, and nutrition education.
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Background
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The program was established under the Child
Nutrition Act as a pilot project in 1966 and became permanent in
1975. |
Participants
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9.8 million students in more than 84,000
schools and residential childcare institutions participated in FY
2006 (daily average). |
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Children from families with incomes at or
below 130% of the federal poverty level ($26,845 for a family of
four for school year 2007-2008) are eligible for free meals. Those
with higher incomes may be eligible for reduced-price meals. |
Budget
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$2.1 billion in FY 2006. |
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$2.2 billion in FY 2007
(est). |
Contact Information
Last modified: October 2007
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