FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:
Casey Dinkin
Nutrition Consortium of NYS
(518) 436-8757 x22
(518) 229-8845 (blackberry)
(518) 427-7992 (fax)
casey.dinkin@nutritionconsortium.org
www.nutritionconsortium.org
School Breakfast in NYS a Boost to Academics, Economics, But Not Enough Children Are Taking Part, Says Anti-Hunger Organization in New Report
Congressman Paul Tonko and other officials urge action to increase the number of children receiving school breakfast, which boosts academic performance, helps families stretch food budgets, and brings federal dollars into NYS
Albany, NY, 5/26/09 — The Nutrition Consortium of NYS, a statewide anti-hunger organization, released a new report today on the School Breakfast Program in NYS. Congressman Paul Tonko and other state and local officials joined the Nutrition Consortium to discuss “Shine With School Breakfast,” which details the numerous academic, economic, and health benefits of the federally-funded School Breakfast Program.
The report documents a low school breakfast participation rate among New York State’s schoolchildren, and provides recommendations for federal, state, and local measures that should be taken to increase the number of children who receive breakfast at school. “Shine With School Breakfast” highlights successful new initiatives that have more than doubled student participation in school breakfast, such as New York City SchoolFood’s breakfast in the classroom initiative, and Troy City School District’s “grab and go” breakfast program.
Congressman Paul Tonko, Representative from New York’s 21st District, said, “The School Breakfast Program provides essential morning nutrition to more than 400,000 students across New York State, but unfortunately that’s only a small percentage of the children who could benefit from this important program, especially during these challenging economic times. Through the federal Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, I am proposing legislation that will give schools incentives to increase participation in school breakfast, through proven methods such as classroom breakfast and “grab and go.” These successful models, which get breakfast to 50 and 60% of students, rather than the state average of less than 20%, need to be replicated through the state and the rest of the nation.”
Frances O’Donnell, Coordinator for the New York State Education Department Child Nutrition Administration, said, “When a child arrives at school hungry, his or her readiness to learn is compromised. Breakfast at school helps to ensure that all children are prepared to face classroom challenges and should be perceived as a viable tool in improving school performance. The New York State Education Department continues to promote breakfast through our ‘Think Breakfast’ Campaign, which reaches thousands of students throughout the state with positive messages about breakfast.”
According to Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS, “At a time when so many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet, the School Breakfast Program offers a healthy, affordable option to ensure children begin their school day without hunger. If the family meets income requirements, children can receive breakfast for free or at a reduced price. Unfortunately only 17% of students in New York State participate in the program due to factors such as lack of awareness, scheduling conflicts and stigma. If New York State doubled its school breakfast participation among low-income students – which happens when alternative service methods such as classroom breakfast are implemented – this federally-funded program would not only alleviate hunger for more students, but it would bring at least an additional $56 million in federal reimbursement dollars into the state’s economy.”
J.W. Gayle, Director of School Food Services at the City School District of Albany, said, “Hunger is a reality among the students in my district, and I see this firsthand. Many children in my district are coming to school hungry every day, and we all know that hungry kids can’t learn. The School Breakfast Program is critical to making sure students have the nutrition they need for a day of learning. Through collaborative efforts and support from teachers, administrators, and the entire school community, the City School District of Albany is taking measures to ensure that all students have access to school breakfast.”
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