About the School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program, providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to children every day of the school year. Participating schools will receive cash reimbursements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in return for serving breakfast that meet Federal requirements.
SBP Nutrition Guidelines
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 updated the SBP’s meal pattern and nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Changes to the SBP’s meal pattern will take place gradually beginning in SY 2013-14, increasing the availability of fruits, and whole grains in the school menu. New dietary specifications set specific calorie limits to ensure age-appropriate meals for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12; and the sodium content of meals will be gradually reduced. All school breakfasts must meet Federal meal requirements, though decisions about which specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities.
Breakfast Requirements Per Week (Minimum Per Day)
| Category | Grades | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| K-5 | 6-8 | 9-12 | |
 Fruit (cups) |
5 | 5 | 5 |
Beginning SY 2014-2015 fruit must be offered daily at breakfast. The fruit requirement may be met with fresh fruit, canned fruit, frozen fruit dried fruit*, or 100% fruit juice. Grades K-12, must offer 5 cups/week and a minimum of 1 cup/day. |
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 Vegetables (cups) |
0 | 0 | 0 |
Under the SBP there is no vegetable requirement. Vegetables may be offered in place of fruit and will count towards meeting the fruit requirement. The first 2 cups of vegetables offered must be non-starchy vegetables. After the first two cups of non-starchy vegetables have been met, starchy vegetables may be offered. |
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 Grains (oz. eq.) |
7-10 | 8-10 | 9-10 |
Beginning SY 2013-2014 grains must be offered daily at breakfast, and half of all grains must be whole grains. Starting SY 2014-2015, all grains offered must be whole grains. Whole grain rich foods must contain at least 51% whole grains and the remaining grains must be enriched. |
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 Meat/Meat Alternative (oz. eq.) |
0 | 0 | 0 |
Under the SBP there is no meat/meat alternate requirement. Beginning SY 2013-2014, a meat/meat alternate may be offered in place of a grain after the minimum daily grain requirement is met and will count towards meeting the weekly grain requirement. 1 oz. eq. of meat/meat alternate is equal to 1oz. eq. of grains. |
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 Milk (cups) |
5 Cups | 5 Cups | 5 Cups |
Schools must offer fat-free of low-fat milk daily at breakfast. Only fat-free milk can be flavored. Two varieties of milk must be offered each day; for example fat-free chocolate milk and low fat milk would meet the requirement. |
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Other Specifications: Based on the Average for a 5-day Week
| Category | Grades | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| K-5 | 6-8 | 9-12 | |
| Min-Max calories (kcal) | 350-500 | 400-550 | 450-600 |
Over a 5-day school week the average calories of meals offered to each age group must be within the minimum and maximum calorie range. Grades K-5350-500 kcals, Grades 6-8, 400-550 kcals, Grades 9-12, 450-600 kcals. |
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| Saturated Fat % of total calories | < 10 | < 10 | < 10 |
Over a 5-day school week the average saturated fat content of the meals offered to each age group must be less than 10% of total calories. |
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| Sodium (mg) | < or = 430 | < or = 470 | < or = 500 |
NSLP has outlined a 3-part timeline to gradually reduce sodium levels in school breakfast. Target 1-by SY 2014-2015, sodium levels must be at or below: 540 mg (K-5), 600 mg (6-8), 640 mg (9-12). Target 2- by SY 2017-2018 , sodium levels must be at or below: 485 mg (K-5), 535 mg (6-8), 570 mg (9-12) Prior to target 2 being implemented the USDA will review relevant studies on sodium intake and health.Target 3- by SY 2022-2033, sodium levels must be at or below: 430 mg (K-5), 470 mg (6-8), 500 mg (9-12). |
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Per Meal Reimbursement
Schools participating in the School Breakfast Program will be reimbursed per meal served. The reimbursement rates are based on the percentage of students at the school who received a free or reduced price lunch during the second preceding year (2010-2011). Schools that qualify for “severe need” reimbursement served more than 40% of their lunches for free or at a reduced price. Due to a higher cost of living, higher reimbursement rates are in place for Alaska and Hawaii than for all other states.
The current cash reimbursement rate for “severe need” schools are:
- Free $1.89
- Reduced Price $1.59
- Paid $0.28
The current cash reimbursement rate for “not severe need” schools are:
- Free $1.58
- Reduced Price $1.28
- Paid $0.28