SCR 81 spotlights that an estimated one in six California children live in food insecure households, meaning that they do not have consistent access to adequate food for an active, healthy life.  The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened economic hardship among many families in California, especially within communities of color, with nearly 1,500,000 California children estimated to have faced hunger in 2021; and

“As a public school teacher, I kept snacks in the classroom because students came to school without eating,” said Senator Rubio.  “Eating school breakfast helps our children academically, improves concentration, and creates fewer class disruptions. I am proud of the work the State of California is doing, but it is imperative that we continue to make these investments, so no child ever goes hungry.”

The text of SCR 81 is as follows:

• WHEREAS, “National School Breakfast Week” is observed annually to promote the importance of a nutritious breakfast to pupil health and learning, and to recognize the critical role of the federal School Breakfast Program in meeting the nutritional needs of children across the United States; and

• WHEREAS, An estimated one in six children in the state live in food insecure households, meaning that they do not have consistent access to adequate food for an active and healthy life; and

• WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened economic hardship among many families in the state, especially within communities of color, with an estimated 1,500,000 children estimated to have faced hunger in 2021; and

• WHEREAS, School nutrition programs provided vital meals to pupils and their families during the pandemic through innovative models, such as drive-thru operations and delivery services, as well as to pupils returning to classrooms; and

• WHEREAS, Eating school breakfast helps pupils excel academically and supports their ability to learn and perform, such as with better test scores, improved concentration, and fewer class disruptions; and

• WHEREAS, School breakfast participation also helps improve pupils’ overall diet, builds healthy and lifelong eating habits, improves food security, and advances child health and well-being; and

• WHEREAS, School breakfast will continue to play a critical role in keeping pupils nourished through the 2021–22 school year and beyond; and

• WHEREAS, The Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom recognized the critical need to ensure healthy meals for all California pupils and enacted the Free School Meals for All Act of 2021 so all pupils will have access to free school meals, including breakfast, beginning in the 2022–23 school year; now, therefore, be it

• Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims March 7, 2022, to March 11, 2022, inclusive, as School Breakfast Week; and be it further

• Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the critical role of the federal School Breakfast Program in meeting the nutritional needs of pupils, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic; and be it further

• Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the invaluable service of school nutrition staff who work tirelessly to administer the federal School Breakfast Program, even amidst unprecedented challenges; and be it further

• Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

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About No Kid Hungry

No child should go hungry in America. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. Join us at nokidhungry.org.

Last Reviewed: March 9, 2022