How Community Food Banks Support School Breakfast: Strategies Used and Lessons Learned.
X X B REAKFAST EATING AMONG children has been linked to a variety of positive outcomes such as reduced body mass index, improved cognitive function and academic performance, and improved psychological well being and behavior in school. Despite the known benefits, it has been reported that up to one third of school aged children do not eat breakfast. To improve access to breakfast, the federal School Breakfast Program was authorized to provide free or low cost breakfast to children living in households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Unfortunately, a variety of barriers continue to prevent the School Breakfast Program from reaching all eligible students. Feeding America (FA) is the largest hunger relief organization in the United States, supporting a network of more than 200 member food banks. In addition to food procurement and distribution to families facing food insecurity, FA member food banks are involved in innovative programming, advocacy, and outreach activities to assist families eligible for federal food assistance programs. Approximately 39% of households served by FA have at least one child younger than age 18 years, and more than two thirds of client households fall at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. To better understand the role of FA network food banks in school breakfast promotion, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (Academy Foundation) led a project with FA to assess current efforts and practices. The primary aims of this project were to determine strategies used by food banks for school breakfast promotion, identify challenges faced by food banks to promote school breakfast, and to determine best practices for food banks related to school breakfast promotion. A secondary aim was to identify national nonprofit partner organizations with school breakfast initiatives.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics