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Release No. 0079.05

Angela Harless (202) 720-4623
Susan Acker (703) 305-2286

USDA Kicks Off National School Breakfast Week

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2005 — Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the celebration of the 30th anniversary of National School Breakfast Week by thousands of students and schools around the country March 7-11.

"Providing a nutritious breakfast sets the stage for learning before students enter the classroom," said Johanns. “USDA officials are visiting schools and meeting with children across the country to stress the importance of eating a healthy breakfast so that they are mentally and physically prepared to learn and play."

Each year USDA, in partnership with the School Nutrition Association, recognizes National School Breakfast Week in order to emphasize the benefits of the school breakfast program. Begun as a fulltime program in 1975 by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the School Breakfast Program promotes learning readiness and healthy eating behaviors to nearly 9 million children in 76,000 schools, every school day. USDA officials along with state and local leaders are hosting events at schools in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Research shows a connection between good nutrition, particularly a nutritious breakfast, and improved student academic performance and social behavior. Improved math grades, reduced hyperactivity, decreased absence and tardy rates and improved behavior have been linked to students who regularly eat breakfast.

Additional information about FNS’ Child Nutrition Programs is available at /fns . A detailed review of the literature on breakfast and learning is contained in the report “Universal-Free School Breakfast Program Evaluation Design Project: Review of the Literature on Breakfast and Learning,” which is available on the FNS Web site at /oane/MENU/DemoProjects/sbppilot/SBPlitreview.PDF .
 

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