Release No. 0165.00

Mary Beth Schultheis (202) 720-4623
mary_beth.schultheis@usda.gov

Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286
jean.daniel@fns.usda.gov

SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS SELECTED FOR SCHOOL BREAKFAST PILOT PROGRAM AND STUDY

WICHITA, May 15, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today that USDA will provide free school breakfasts to elementary school children in six school districts across the country as part of a comprehensive study examining the critical link between a nutritious breakfast and learning.

"Parents, teachers, doctors and scientists all understand the importance a healthy, nutritious breakfast can make to better learning," said Glickman. "This major new study is the most comprehensive ever to examine the link between nutrition and learning for children."

The six school districts selected to participate are:

Independent School District of Boise City, Boise, Idaho
Shelby County Board of Education, Columbiana, Ala.
Harrison County School District, Gulfport, Miss.
Washington Elementary School District, Phoenix, Ariz.
Santa Rosa City Schools, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Wichita Public Schools, Wichita, Kan.

Almost 400 school districts in 43 states expressed interest in participating in the School Breakfast Pilot Program.

The selected sites represent a mix of rural, suburban and urban elementary schools, with varying family income levels.

The School Breakfast Pilot Program will evaluate the benefits of a three-year universal free school breakfast program. Research to date has shown a direct link between eating breakfast and higher test scores, improved behavior and improved attendance.

The School Lunch Program, one of the most successful federal nutrition programs, served lunch to 27 million children last year, including free and reduced cost lunches.

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