What Is the School Breakfast Program?
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. Participating schools provide meals that meet Federal nutrition standards and provide free and reduced-price breakfasts to eligible children.
Who May Buy a Meal? Who Gets Free or Reduced-price Breakfasts?
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the SBP. A child whose family meets income criteria may receive a free or reduced-price breakfast. The Federal government then reimburses the schools for each meal served that meets program nutritional requirements.
Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. Children from families over 185 percent of poverty pay a full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent.
What Schools and Institutions Can Participate?
Public schools or non-profit private schools of high school grade or under and residential child care institutions that are a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Sponsor in good standing are eligible to participate in the SBP. If you currently participate in NSLP and would like to offer SBP contact you're a member of the School Nutrition Programs team. If you don't current provide meals through NLSP you can learn more about how to apply to serve meals in NLSP and SBP.
Looking for More Info?
School Breakfast Program Fact Sheet
Interested in the Summer Meals Program?
Summer Meals Flyer