March
National School Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week occurs during the first full week of March each year, aiming to highlight one of the most significant welfare initiatives in the United States. It’s widely recognized that breakfast is a vital meal of the day — and the federal government concurs. Established in 1966, the School Breakfast Program has provided billions of healthy meals to students from various economic backgrounds. During this week, teachers host fun contests, and school cafeterias showcase unique menus and decorations to celebrate this important program. The connection between academic success and proper nutrition is crucial; regular access to nutritious meals is essential for a child’s mental and physical development. No matter how vast the world of knowledge is, a hungry child will struggle to engage with it. This issue was first brought to attention by Congressman Carl Perkins from Kentucky, who was concerned about children attending school without breakfast. Driven by his passion to improve the lives of countless students, he suggested a bold initiative to provide free breakfasts to children from low-income families.
After a lengthy debate, Congress initiated a two-year pilot project known as the School Breakfast Program in 1966. This program offered a balanced meal aligned with dietary standards for students across all economic levels. By the mid-1970s, Congress continued to expand the program to better understand its impact on low-income students. The program gained immense popularity, leading advocacy groups like the Food Research & Action Center to push for its permanent establishment, which was achieved in 1975. The program’s growth and eventual permanence underscored its significance nationwide. Today, over 90,000 schools participate in the School Breakfast Program, serving an average of 14.5 million students fresh and nutritious breakfasts daily as they prepare for their classes. National School Breakfast Week was introduced in 1989 to celebrate the program’s success and highlight the necessary steps for further expansion.
Timeline of National School Breakfast Week:
- 1966: The Pilot Program – A two-year School Breakfast initiative is launched by Congress under the Child Nutrition Act to provide nutritious breakfasts for schoolchildren.
- 1972: Extension and Expansion – Congress continues to broaden the program, adding lunch options and reaching more schools nationwide.
- 1975: Permanent Designation – After tireless efforts from activists and organizations, Congress officially adopts the School Breakfast Program.
- 1989: A Celebration – Following the enactment of Child Nutrition Amendments, the Food Research & Action Center initiates School Breakfast Week to promote awareness about the program.
FAQs about the School Breakfast Program:
- Who qualifies for the School Breakfast Program? The program is needs-based, allowing households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level to access free meals. Families earning between 130% and 185% of the poverty level can receive meals at reduced prices.
- What does a School Breakfast meal include? Meals adhere to the Dietary Guidelines of America, featuring a variety of fruits, whole grains, and meat or vegan options. Attention is given to limiting sodium, trans fats, and calories, with meals prepared by local school food authorities.
- Is the Black Panther Party associated with the School Breakfast Program? The timeline of the School Breakfast Program coincides with the Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast initiative. Although the FBI disrupted the Black Panthers’ efforts, the government recognized the program’s popularity, leading to the SBP’s establishment in the mid-1970s.
How to Celebrate School Breakfast Week:
- Donate to hunger relief charities: Numerous organizations are actively combating hunger in the U.S. While the School Breakfast Program supports schoolchildren, many impoverished young people outside the formal system also need assistance.
- Volunteer at a food bank: Contributing your time at a local food bank is a meaningful way to commemorate the School Breakfast Program’s achievements. Opportunities include sorting, packing, and delivering food — and volunteering for a week can earn you plenty of goodwill.
- Spread the word: Many in your community benefit from the School Breakfast Program without knowing its challenging origins. In the second week of March, share the story behind this initiative and the organizations like No Kid Hungry and Food & Action Center that played pivotal roles in its success.
5 Key Facts Highlighting the School Breakfast Program’s Success:
- From small beginnings to significant impact: Starting with just 6,600 schools in 1971, the School Breakfast Program now includes 90,000 schools.
- Remarkable growth: In the last ten years, SBP has welcomed five million new low-income family participants.
- Millions served: On a typical school day in 2019, 14.6 million students received fresh and nutritious breakfast meals.
- Improved health outcomes: Students involved in the School Breakfast Program show better retention rates, verbal skills, memory, physical endurance, and cognitive performance.
- Innovative spin-offs: The success of SBP has inspired related initiatives like Grab N’ Go, Second Chance Breakfast, Breakfast in the Classroom, and Breakfast Vending.
Why National School Breakfast Week Matters:
- Celebrating success: This week highlights the advocacy efforts that led to the School Breakfast Program’s establishment. During a time when federal initiatives faced scrutiny, achieving bipartisan support for SBP was a significant accomplishment, now celebrating 50 years of unwavering service to children in need.
- Ongoing expansion: With private funding partners like the Walmart Foundation and crucial legislation in states like New Mexico and Oregon, the School Breakfast Program is continually broadening its reach to overcome logistical barriers and ensure federal assistance reaches hungry children.
- Addressing challenges: Simply having the program is not enough to feed all children. Despite its expansion to over 90,000 schools, only half of low-income children can benefit. National School Breakfast Week raises awareness of the significant challenges ahead as the government works to provide free breakfast for every child in need.
Upcoming Dates for National School Breakfast Week:
- 2022: March 7, Monday
- 2023: March 6, Monday
- 2024: March 4, Monday
- 2025: March 3, Monday
For more information, visit https://findnomore.net.
What is the date of National School Breakfast Week every year?
