Contributor: Vidhi Chitalia

Goal Statement    

To increase the knowledge of how school breakfasts, food pantries and food banks are designed overall. To call attention to the implementation of school breakfasts in New Brunswick public schools. 

Scope of the Problem   

• 1 in 6 people struggles with hunger in the United States. 1 in 8 people struggle with hunger in New Jersey. Organizations such as Feeding America, Food for Thought and Breakfast after the Bell have taken the initiative to help the hungry families across the US by either collecting food donations or collaborating with 

• Food banks are non-profit organizations that collect and distribute food to the food pantries. Next, the food pantries directly interact with the community and distribute the food. Food banks usually rely on large grocery stores that have food they would otherwise throw away.

Past Policy   

New Brunswick public schools had provided breakfast to those students who came from families with financial problems. The breakfast would be served before classes started, as in, before the first bell. The students who were not able to get to school before their first class did not get the benefit of having breakfast provided by their school. 

Current Policy   

As of May 2014, New Brunswick has 7141 students who are eligible for free or reduced breakfast. This number is 88% of the total number to students enrolled in public schools. Only 67% of those enrolled are actually receiving breakfast. This means there are 2345 students who are eligible, yet they are not provided breakfast from their school. The federal program would reimburse the schools a total of $788,535 if every child receives a school breakfast for all 180 days. 

Model Programs   

Feeding America

Feeding America is the largest hunger- relief organization nationally. They have 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries/meal programs across the nation. They serve every community.  Additionally, they include a program called “We Feed Children”. This program strives to give students from low income families meals for free or a reduced price. They also work to give nutritious food to students even when they are out of school. The schools are reimbursed for serving the students by the National School Lunch Program and the USDA ensures the students are getting proper nutrition.

Breakfast After the Bell 

This program strives to serve a healthy breakfast to all students in public schools, regardless of their family’s economic status, after the first class start. As of May 2014, six elementary schools in New Brunswick have been providing this facility to students. Breakfast after the Bell is federally funded by the National School Lunch Program and it is overseen by the Dining Services Department in New Brunswick. For each meal provided to a student, the school receives $1.89. The results have been encouraging so far. For example, students are coming to class on time because they don’t have to spend time at home eating breakfast. Now that breakfast is served at 9:15, or approximately after the first bell even students who show up a little bit late are provided with a good breakfast. The percentage of students receiving breakfast increased from 31% to 91%. The limiting factor that was hindering all schools in New Brunswick from having this program was the shortage of tote bags used for transporting the food.

Bibliography    

Nelson/NJ.com, Lloyd. "Mayor Cahill Visits Paul Robeson School in Support of School Breakfast Program." N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

"New School Breakfast Program Expanding to Serve More Than 5,000 New Brunswick Students." New Brunswick Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

"NJ School Breakfast Data." Advocates for Children of New Jersey. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

"Summer Feeding Program." Feeding America. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

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