OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:
Many scientific studies have identified a strong link between learning in school and child nutrition. Therefore in order to facilitate the educational performances of children, school meal programs began
SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
The SBP or the school breakfast program is a program overseen on the federal level by the USDA. The program tends to provide monetary assistance to states in order to facilitate and operate nonprofit breakfast programs in public schools and community colleges. Around half a million kids in Penn state are provided with nutritious breakfast in the morning.
The SBP program of the state of Pennsylvania is overseen by the US department of agriculture. Any public school, childcare or community college can participate in the program.
The sponsors of the SBP program must meet the federal requirements in order to qualify for the reimbursement. The school breakfasts must include three required components specified by the SBP, the components are whole/enriched grain, fruit, and milk.
In order for the child to qualify for the school breakfast program (SBP). The children’s family must have an income at or below the poverty level of 130%, children whose families are being assisted through the TANF (temporary assistance for needy families), or children receiving food stamps are considered eligible. Children with families having income is between 130 to 185% of the poverty line are considered to be eligible for reduced-price breakfast.
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
The NSLP of Pennsylvania is administered by USDAFNS. The program aims to provide low cost-free lunches to eligible students every day. Any public school, childcare institution may apply to be a sponsor for NLSP. Around 29 million children all over America are fed through the National school lunch program. Pennsylvania alone served around167 million school lunches in the calendar year 2017-2018.
The NLSP sponsors are supposed to offer free or reduced-price lunches to eligible children. The department of agriculture has established rates of reimbursement for the sponsors. The sponsors of the program receive USDA commodities for each meal they provide.
Children who belong to the lower-income bracket are usually considered eligible for the NLSP program. Families with income of 130% of the poverty level, children’s families being assisted by the TANF (temporary assistance for the needy families), and children receiving food stamps are considered to be eligible for the program. Moreover, children’s families whose income is between 130% to 180% of the poverty level are considered for reduced-price lunches.
Sponsors, in order to qualify for the reimbursement, must meet the NLSP nutritional requirements for the school lunch. The NLSP lunches must have the five required components that are whole/enriched grain, vegetable, fruit, meat or any meat alternative, and milk. Serving size of the lunches can vary with the grades of the students.
Conclusion
Researches from Harvard and other renowned institutions have shown a high correlation between good nutritional intake and academic performance. These programs have shown to improve school attendance, performance and have resulted in lesser problems in children.