School Breakfast Program

To assist States in implementing a nutritious nonprofit breakfast service for school children, through meal reimbursements and food donations.

States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories, as applicable, may apply to administer the SBP and work in collaboration with public and nonprofit private schools and other institutions for children, such as public and nonprofit private residential child care institutions. All participating schools and institutions must agree to serve free and reduced price meals to eligible children, and operate a nonprofit meal service that is available to all children regardless of race, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), color, national origin, age, or disability.

All children attending schools where this program is operating may receive nutrition benefits, which are determined based on the household income and size. Breakfast is served free to children who are determined by the local education agency to have household income levels at or below 130 percent, and at a reduced price to children from households with incomes higher than 130 but at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty line. Paid breakfast is served to children who are not eligible for free and reduced-price meals. The Secretary prescribes the income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals by July 1. These guidelines are revised annually according to the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines. Children from households certified to receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and children in Head Start programs are automatically eligible for free meals. Homeless children, children in certain runaway and homeless youth grant programs, migrant children, and foster children are automatically eligible for free meals. All reimbursable meals served under the SBP at the free, reduced-price, and paid categories get cash assistance.

All participating states and territories do so via a federal/state agreement.

The State agency reviews the written application submitted by a school food authority/school or a residential child care institution and, upon determination of eligibility, makes a written agreement with the school or institution for participation in the program.

Effective upon approval by the State Agency.