Food for Thought: An analysis of school breakfast

implementation models

Prepared by Matt Kropke for the Food Bank of Alaska

UAA Masters in Public Administration

Capstone PresentationApril 15, 2011

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Research Question

How can schools maximize the results of a breakfast program based on nutrition research findings, recent policy changes and lessons learned from pilot programs around the nation?  

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The The ProblemProblem 34,326 Alaska children receiving 34,326 Alaska children receiving

free or reduced lunch in 2010 free or reduced lunch in 2010

23,119 Alaska children living in 23,119 Alaska children living in povertypoverty

14,168 Alaska children receiving 14,168 Alaska children receiving free or reduced breakfastfree or reduced breakfast

Leaving 9,000 to 20,000 at risk of Leaving 9,000 to 20,000 at risk of hungerhunger

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“…“…under nutrition -even in its “milder” under nutrition -even in its “milder” forms- during any periods of childhood forms- during any periods of childhood can have detrimental effects on the can have detrimental effects on the cognitive development of children and cognitive development of children and their later productivity as adults.” their later productivity as adults.”

(Tufts University School of Nutrition and Science (Tufts University School of Nutrition and Science Policy, 1995)Policy, 1995)

Childhood Childhood Hunger Hunger

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Federal Programs

School lunch program official and School lunch program official and permanent in 1946permanent in 1946

The School Breakfast Program was The School Breakfast Program was established in 1966. established in 1966.

In 2010 the USDA spent over $2.4 In 2010 the USDA spent over $2.4 Billion on the School Breakfast Billion on the School Breakfast Program.Program.

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The Pilot Programs

Minnesota Fast Break to Learning New York State Academics &

Breakfast Connection Maryland Meals for Achievement

Program

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Maryland Meals for Achievement

6 schools in 1998 to 196 schools in 2010

85% drop in tardiness

suspensions decreased 1.6 days per month

5% increase in students scoring satisfactorily or above on the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program

Non MMFA schools saw a slight decline

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Additional Findings

Fast break: provide schools with a couple implementation models

ABC: increase in funds (due to the increase in the meals served) was enough to sustain the program

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Cost Considerations Each meal regardless of service model cost

the same.

As meal counts increase, expenses and revenues increase.

Students qualifying for free or reduced meals will dictate total reimbursement.

Alaska reimbursement rate for qualifying free breakfast is $2.36 2010-2011.

$2 M gain for state if participation rose to 60%

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Service Options

Break after 1Break after 1stst period period

Breakfast in the classroomBreakfast in the classroom

Cafeteria open early Cafeteria open early (Traditional)(Traditional)

Grab and goGrab and go

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CriteriaCriteria

Student Participation in the meal program.

Non disruption of class learning time.

Lack of stigmatism attached to the service model

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Scoring

Service Models are scored from 1 to 3 based on each criteria. For example, in order to score a 3, Pilot schools must have demonstrated following results:

•Program Participation: Above 70% of students eat on average

•Class Disruption: No time is taken from classes for food service

•Stigmatism: All students eat together regardless of income

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Non Weighted Results  Participation Disruption Stigmatism 

(lack of)  Score

Breakfast In the Classroom

3 2 3   8

Break after 1st period 3 1 3   7

Grab and Go (Hallway) 2 2 2   6

Cafeteria open early 1 3 1   5

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  Teachers Students Hunger Advocates

  Total

Score

Breakfast In the Classroom

10 11 11   32

Break after 1st Period 8 10 10   28

Grab and Go (Hallway) 8 8 8   24

Cafeteria Open Early 8 6 6   20

Weighted Results

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Review

Thousands of kids are arriving to school hungry every day in Alaska.

Hungry kids have difficulty learning

Breakfast in the classroom is a high scoring solution.

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Thank You! Are there any questions?

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