{"id":18016,"date":"2025-03-06T23:05:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T23:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/?p=18016"},"modified":"2025-04-30T17:03:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T17:03:34","slug":"school-breakfast-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/school-breakfast-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE: School Breakfast Changes Lives: No Kid Hungry Issues Grants to Sustain Child Nutrition Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]For Immediate Release: <\/strong>March 6, 2025<\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/strong> Adam Keigwin | akeigwin@actumllc.com | (916) 256-5758<\/span><\/p>\n

School Breakfast Changes Lives: No Kid Hungry Issues Grants to Sustain Child Nutrition Programs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The California State Legislature Unanimously declared March 3-7th as School Breakfast Week Pursuant to SCR 26 by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (District 39)<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n

Sacramento, Calif.<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0 No Kid Hungry California is thrilled to announce the awarding of $153,154 in new grants to support child nutrition programs in California. These funds will support seven school districts dedicated to expanding access to nutritious meals for children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eating breakfast has a real, powerful effect on kids. Breakfast After the Bell (BAB), a key initiative championed by the No Kid Hungry campaign, provides every student the opportunity to start their school day with a nutritious meal. Studies have shown that kids who eat breakfast are more focused, score significantly higher on tests, miss less days of school and have fewer discipline programs and visits to the nurse\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to California\u2019s Healthy School Meals for All, all California schools are able to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every meal served is a building block in a children\u2019s education and overall well-being. However, last fall, the USDA\u2019s most recent Household Food Security Report, and its findings saw an increase of food insecurity. Thirteen million children, or 18.5 percent, live in food insecure households. This means 1 in 5 children are facing hunger in the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In times of crisis, adequate nutrition supports children\u2019s immune systems, helping them stay healthier and better able to cope with the physical and emotional stress of a crisis. More than ever, school meals are critical to communities as they rebuild and create long-term food security and economic recovery and mobility for families in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cStarting the school day with a healthy school breakfast ensures California students start the day energized and ready to learn,\u201d said No Kid Hungry California Director Kathy Saile. \u201cNo child should ever face the challenge of starting the school day on an empty stomach. Schools who offer Breakfast After the Bell provide nutritious meals for most children and those students experience more success in their long-term health and education indicators.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

No Kid Hungry has provided $153,154 in grants to the following California school districts to adopt, strengthen, and expand school breakfast programs:<\/span><\/p>\n