Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) proudly announced that a substantial $1.2 million in Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion (SBE) Grant funding has been allocated to 164 schools statewide. The aim of this initiative is to enhance the nutritional quality of school breakfast meals while simultaneously promoting a higher rate of student participation in the federally funded School Breakfast Program.
“It’s not only critical that students start their day with a meal—it’s equally important that the meal they choose is healthy and nutritious,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “Pennsylvania School Breakfast Expansion grants encourage schools to ‘think outside the cereal box’ and provide meals that are not only easy to access but also packed with nutritional value.”
The lists of awarded schools, reflecting the commitment to healthier mornings for students, can be found on the Project PA website.
In collaboration with Penn State University (Project PA), PDE’s Bureau of Food and Nutrition awarded schools that are actively implementing innovative strategies to expand breakfast access. These strategies include alternative breakfast service methods designed to enhance accessibility for students and important menu modifications aimed at improving the overall quality and nutritional content of breakfast meals. The grant funds may be utilized for purchasing mobile carts, insulated bags, kitchen equipment, and a variety of supplies to create healthy, enticing breakfast options that students will enjoy.
Funds for this vital initiative were provided through a USDA School Breakfast Expansion Grant, with Pennsylvania being one of only three states to secure this funding through a competitive process. To qualify for this opportunity, schools must be participants in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and meet stringent USDA requirements, including serving at least 40% of NSLP lunches to students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Priority consideration was given to schools where at least 75% of students were eligible for such assistance.
The Shapiro Administration has shown strong commitment to ensuring that all students receive nourishing meals throughout the entire year. This proactive approach is exemplified by Governor Shapiro, who successfully delivered free breakfast options to nearly 1.7 million students across Pennsylvania last year. Looking ahead, the 2024-25 budget aims to build on that success, proposing a $16.7 million increase to sustain the universal free breakfast initiative. This endeavor seeks not only to provide students with healthy morning meals but also to ensure that no child faces hunger during the summer months by funding the essential summer food service program.
Earlier this year, the Shapiro Administration launched the Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge, a targeted three-month initiative designed to boost participation in the Universal Free Breakfast Program. The Challenge also recognized schools that successfully increased breakfast participation while implementing sustainable changes that integrate more nutritious, locally sourced foods into their menus. A total of thirty-seven schools accomplished the Challenge’s goals, highlighting the positive impact of this program.
Over the past school year, an impressive 91.4 million breakfast meals were served in schools, showcasing an increase of nearly 10 million meals compared to the previous 2022-23 school year. More than 7 million of these breakfasts were provided to at-risk students from low-income families, illustrating the program’s critical role in addressing food insecurity.
School breakfast has been shown to significantly improve students’ academic performance, reduce behavioral issues, enhance overall diets, and play a vital role in combating food insecurity. Offering breakfast after the bell through creative service methods such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab ‘n Go Breakfast, and Second Chance Breakfast makes it more convenient for students to access nutritious meals, alleviating the stigma often associated with participation and ultimately leading to more students starting their day with a healthy breakfast.
**Interview with Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary of Education for Pennsylvania**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Mumin. The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently announced a significant $1.2 million allocation for the School Breakfast Expansion Grants. Can you tell us what prompted this initiative?
**Dr. Mumin:** Thank you for having me. The main motivation behind this initiative is to ensure that every child starts their day with a healthy meal. There’s ample research showing that a nutritious breakfast improves student focus and academic performance. With this funding, we hope to not only elevate the nutritional quality of breakfast offerings but also to increase student participation in the School Breakfast Program.
**Editor:** That’s great to hear. Can you provide some examples of the innovative strategies that schools will implement with the grant funding?
**Dr. Mumin:** Absolutely. Schools are encouraged to think creatively about breakfast service. This could mean utilizing mobile carts to serve meals in common areas, offering breakfast during non-traditional times, or modifying menus to introduce more appealing and healthier options. The grant can also help schools upgrade kitchen equipment or purchase supplies to enhance the breakfast experience for students.
**Editor:** You mentioned that Pennsylvania was one of only three states to secure funding from the USDA School Breakfast Expansion Grant. What factors contributed to this success?
**Dr. Mumin:** It was indeed a competitive process, and certain key factors played a role. Schools had to demonstrate commitment by participating in the National School Lunch Program and meeting USDA requirements, particularly serving a significant portion of meals to students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Those schools with higher eligibility were prioritized, ensuring that we reach the students who need it most.
**Editor:** It sounds like the Shapiro Administration is dedicated to improving the lives of students. Could you elaborate on Governor Shapiro’s commitment to school nutrition?
**Dr. Mumin:** Absolutely. Governor Shapiro recognizes the vital role that proper nutrition plays in education. Last year, his administration succeeded in providing free breakfast options to nearly 1.7 million students. It’s a strong foundation to build upon, and the 2024-25 budget reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students have access to nourishing meals throughout the year.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Mumin. It’s encouraging to see such initiatives aimed at promoting student health and well-being.
**Dr. Mumin:** Thank you for having me. We’re excited about the positive impact this funding will have on our students’ mornings and overall health.
