school breakfast incentive
program
Dp |
Committee on Education |
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DpA |
Committee on Appropriations |
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DPA |
Caucus and COW |
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X |
As Transmitted to the Governor |
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HB 2211 establishes a study on why school districts do not participate in the school breakfast program (SBP).
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally subsidized meal program established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. K-12 public schools or non-profit private schools and residential child-care institutions are eligible to participate in the SBP. Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the SBP. However, children whose families meet income criteria may receive free or reduced-price breakfasts. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for free meals. Those between 130% to 185% FPL are eligible for reduced-price meals.
For school year 2000-2001, the federal reimburse rates were as follows:
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Non-severe need school |
Severe need school |
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Paid Meal – federal subsidy |
$0.21 |
$0.21 |
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Reduced Price Meal |
$0.82 |
$1.03 |
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Free Meal |
$1.12 |
$1.33 |
The federal program prohibits schools from charging more than $0.30 for reduced price meals. In Arizona, the average cost of providing a free breakfast is approximately $1.30 per student. Therefore, non-severe need schools subsidize the SBP for reduced price meals and free meals approximately the difference between $1.30 and $1.12. According to a December 2000 report by the Arizona Department of Education, there are approximately 240 schools that do not offer the federal school breakfast program.