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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, 2008 through June 30,
2009) basic cash reimbursement rates: Free Breakfasts -
$1.40; Reduced-Price Breakfasts - $1.10; Paid Breakfasts -
$0.25. Schools with more than 40% of their students approved
for free or reduced price meals in a prior year are
considered as “severe need” and may receive additional
funding. |
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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. |
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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10.5
million students in more than 87,000 schools and residential
childcare institutions participated in FY 2008 (daily
average). |
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Children
from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the
federal poverty level ($27,560 for a family of four for
school year 2008-2009) are eligible for free meals. Those
with higher incomes may be eligible for reduced-price meals. |
Budget
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$2.2
billion in FY 2007. |
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$2.4
billion in FY 2008. |
Contact Information
Last modified: January 2009
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