EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM

WHEREAS, major studies have shown that all children need a nutritious breakfast in order to maximize their growth and intellectual potential; and

WHEREAS, severe budget cuts in 1981 drastically reduced the number of schools and students participating in the school breakfast program; and

WHEREAS, the experience of school food service staff and educators is that a well-fed child is more attentive, a better student and has fewer disciplinary problems; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress permanently authorized the School Breakfast Program in 1975 (P.L. 89-642) and recently increased by an additional 3 cents the reimbursement rate in order to improve the quality of meals served (P.L. 99-661 ); and

WHEREAS, the poverty rate for children under age 18 is 21 percent compared to 14 percent for the entire population; and

WHEREAS, nearly 90 percent of the students who participate in the school breakfast program are from low income families; and

WHEREAS, only 3 million low-income children participate in the School Breakfast Program compared to the 11.5 million low-income children who participate in the School Lunch Program; and

WHEREAS, only 30 percent of all schools participate in the School Breakfast Program, compared to over 90 percent of all schools that participate in the School Lunch Program:

RESOLVED, that the AFT endorse the Food Research and Action Center's campaign to expand participation in the School Breakfast Program, as well as their research on the relationship between adequate nutrition programs to increased student achievement; and

RESOLVED, that AFT locals and state federations work closely with local programs to increase school and student participation in the school breakfast program in their individual school districts.