Expanding Alternative Breakfast Models An Overview of National Outreach and State-Level Work Eyang N. Garrison Food Research and Action Center

Who We Are FRAC’s State and Local Strategy to Fight Hunger:  Research its impact, and effective solutions  Improve and monitor the implementation of policies that will reduce hunger and undernutrition;  Provide technical assistance and support to a nationwide network of advocates, service providers, food banks, program administrators and participants, and policymakers

Summer Food Resources Visit for:  2012 Summer Meals Participation Report  Summer Food Outreach Toolkit  Register for the FRAC “Summer Matters” Calls  For more information contact Signe Anderson at

Breakfast for Learning Children who eat breakfast at school:  Increase their math and reading scores  Perform better on standardized tests  Improve their speed and memory in cognitive tests  Reduced rates of tardiness, absenteeism, and behavioral issues

Breakfast for Health  A healthy breakfast each day helps prevent obesity  Children who eat school breakfast eat more fruits, drink more milk, and eat a wider variety of foods  Children who eat school breakfast experience fewer nurses visits

State-Level Breakfast Scorecard Key SY Findings:  10.5 million low-income children participated in SBP  Over half of low-income children who ate lunch also ate breakfast  Illinois Ranks 36 th (up from 44 th )

District-Level Breakfast Report SY Report Highlights:  All top ten districts offer universal- free breakfast and alternative service model  10 districts increased ADP by at least 20% including Chicago Public Schools  47 our of 57 districts surveyed offer alternative service model

Barriers to Participation  Cost  Late bus schedules  Urban transit  Children want to socialize or play outside  Stigmatized as a program “for poor kids”

How is it Served? Traditional Model – In the Cafeteria Make it Part of the School Day  Breakfast in the Classroom  Grab ‘n Go

Breakfast in the Classroom  Meals delivered to the classroom  Students eat in the classroom after the morning bell

Grab n’ Go Students pick up meals from carts or kiosks located in the…. Cafeteria or Hallway

Keys to Success  Equipment Grants  Provision 2  Community Eligibility  Legislative Action  Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Engagement Model  Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom  Funded by grant from the Walmart Foundation  Partners Include:  Food Research and Action Center  National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation  NEA – Health Information Network  School Nutrition Foundation

Implementation Process  Target Schools –High free- and reduced-price rate –Low school breakfast participation  Assessment of Target Schools  Breakfast at No Charge  Stakeholder Engagement  Community Support and Outreach

Year One PBIC Participation Growth: SY

Overcoming Challenges  Stakeholder Buy-In  Ever-changing School District Staff  Implementing BIC in Middle & High Schools  Union Issues  Infrastructure Limitations  Making Breakfast Appealing in Diverse Communities

For More Information Eyang Garrison Food Research and Action Center x