{"id":18497,"date":"2026-03-04T22:22:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T22:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/?p=18497"},"modified":"2026-03-05T17:06:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T17:06:25","slug":"press-release-nsbw26-acr135","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/california\/press-release-nsbw26-acr135\/","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”][image_with_animation image_url=”18514″ image_size=”large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]For Immediate Release<\/b><\/p>\n

Media Contact: Sanjida Nahar | nokidhungryca[at]strength.org\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The California State Legislature Declares March 2\u20136, 2026 as School Breakfast Week Pursuant to <\/span>ACR 135<\/span><\/a> by Assembly Education Chair Dr. Darshana Patel<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Sacramento, Calif. <\/b><\/span>\u2013\u00a0 No Kid Hungry California is thrilled to announce the awarding of over <\/span>$300,000 in new grants<\/b><\/span> to support child nutrition programs in California. These funds will support 10 school districts dedicated to expanding access to nutritious meals for children.<\/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 fewer days of school, and have fewer discipline issues 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 students at no cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every meal served is a building block in a child\u2019s education and overall well-being. However, according to the USDA\u2019s most recent Household Food Security Report, fourteen million children in our country live in food insecure households. This means 1 in 5 children are facing hunger in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

At a time when federal nutrition programs face reductions and tighter eligibility under H.R. 1, state leadership is more important than ever to ensure children and families continue to have consistent access to healthy meals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStarting the school day with a healthy breakfast ensures California students begin the day energized and ready to learn,\u201d said <\/span>Assembly Education Chair Dr. Darshana Patel<\/b><\/span>. \u201cSchool Breakfast Week highlights the direct connection between nutrition and academic success. As federal nutrition programs face increased uncertainty, California must continue leading the way to protect and expand access to school meals so every student has the opportunity to thrive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo child should ever start the school day on an empty stomach,\u201d said <\/span>Kathy Saile, Director of No Kid Hungry California<\/b><\/span>.<\/span> \u201cBreakfast After the Bell programs remove barriers and ensure that every student \u2014 regardless of background \u2014 has access to a nutritious meal. As federal policies shift, California\u2019s continued investment in school meals is essential to protecting the progress we\u2019ve made in the fight against child hunger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

No Kid Hungry has awarded grants totaling $303,540 to the following California school districts to adopt, strengthen, and expand school breakfast programs:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aspire Pacific Academy, Los Angeles County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Aspire Titan Academy, Los Angeles County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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El Rancho Unified School District, Los Angeles County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Fullerton School District, Orange County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Gridley Unified School District, Butte County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Lodi Unified School District, San Joaquin County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Samueli Academy, Orange County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Standard School District, Kern County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Stockton Unified School District, San Joaquin County<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This February, Assembly Education Chair <\/span>Dr. Darshana Patel<\/b><\/span> introduced <\/span>ACR 135<\/span><\/a>, proclaiming March 2\u20136, 2026 as School Breakfast Week. The proclamation recognizes the importance of school breakfast for student success and the invaluable work of school nutrition teams who plan, prepare, and serve meals to thousands of students across the state each day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bill Text of ACR 135 is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n