REP. TONKO INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND UNIVERAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Paul Tonko introduced a bill today in the U.S. House of Representatives that will help thousands of low-income children receive a free, nutritious breakfast at school.. The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act will create a competitive grant program that will assist schools serving low-income children to establish a universal classroom breakfast program.
"Every child deserves a healthy breakfast to start their day, but the current school breakfast program misses too many students," said Congressman Tonko. "That is why I am proud to introduce the Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act, to help our schools ensure that every child has access to a good breakfast every day. Especially in these difficult economic times, for our municipalities, schools and families, it is important that we give our nation's children the opportunity to succeed and enhance their mind, body and soul. Daily breakfast does just that."
The Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act creates a grant program that will help schools with start-up and training costs associated with establishing a universal classroom breakfast program, including the purchase of equipment. The legislation ensures that the grant program is targeted, so it will reach the schools with the highest numbers of low-income children.
Universal classroom breakfast programs differ from the traditional school breakfast program by serving a free breakfast to all students in the classroom after the start of the school day. Breakfasts are brought from the kitchen into the classroom in containers that keep dishes hot or cold. This prevents children from missing breakfast because they cannot arrive at school early, and removes the stigma associated with the program, which normally has a majority of low-income students as participants.
Schools that have implemented universal breakfast programs report improved student achievement, attentiveness, and attendance. Those schools have also reported fewer visits to the nurse and a decrease in disciplinary referrals.
Several schools in the 21st Congressional District have already implemented a universal classroom breakfast program.
Principal Cliff Bird of Abram Lansing Elementary School in Cohoes said, "Having a universal classroom breakfast program is the great equalizer. All of the students start on the same page each morning, regardless of socio-economic background." Mr. Bird adds that eating breakfast helps students be ready to learn, and because all students get a breakfast, no one stands out for taking one. The universal classroom breakfast program is in its fourth year at Abram Lansing Elementary School, where students receive a breakfast everyday consisting of milk, juice, and an entree item such as a cereal bar, bagel and cream cheese, and/or yogurt.
Rensselaer City School District Food Service manager Theresa I. Hopper said: "In our district, many students miss out on school breakfast either because they cannot afford it or do not have time to eat in the cafeteria before school day begins. A grant for start-up funds would allow our food service department to purchase equipment to begin a universal classroom breakfast program, where all students could eat school breakfast for free, have enough time to eat, and access healthy fuel for learning."
Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, said, "We commend Congressman Paul Tonko for introducing the 'Universal Classroom Breakfast Expansion Act', and urge all members of the New York State Congressional delegation to co-sponsor this legislation that allows for universal classroom breakfast start-up grants. At a time when so many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, the School Breakfast Program offers a healthy and affordable option to ensure children begin their school day without hunger. Research shows that schools with universal breakfast in the classroom programs have double and triple the breakfast participation rates of those who serve in the cafeteria."
The legislation authorizes $50 million for the program in 2011 and 2012. It sets up a competitive grant program through the US Department of Agriculture for states to apply and award sub-grants to schools. To be eligible, schools must have at least 40% of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program. Grant funds are capped at $10,000 per school per year and the legislation would require schools that receive the grant money to provide the free breakfast for at least three years. The USDA will be required to report back to Congress on the success of the program, including how the funds were used, participation rates, and impact on the educational environment.
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