The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides reimbursement to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the SBP at the federal level. State education agencies administer the SBP at the state level, and local school food authorities operate the program in schools.
The SBP is generally operated by public or non-profit private schools. Public or non-profit private residential child care institutions may also participate in the SBP, and charter schools may participate in the SBP as public schools. School districts and independent schools that choose to participate in the Program must serve breakfast meals meeting Federal nutrition requirements, and offer free or reduced price breakfasts to all eligible children.
All school breakfasts must meet Federal nutrition requirements, though decisions about the specific foods to serve and how the foods are prepared are made by local school food authorities
Children may be eligible for free meals through participation in certain Federal Assistance Programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or based on their status as a homeless, runaway, or foster child.
Children can also qualify for free or reduced price school meals based on household income and family size. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for reduced price meals.
