This afternoon, at a press conference alongside SNAPA at Steelton-Highspire Elementary, Governor Tom Wolf announced universal free breakfast for the 2022-23 school-year.
SNAPA has been working with the Governor and his administration for some time on this important issue. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Governor Wolf and the administration for listening to our concerns and ideas, and recognizing the value of universal free breakfast.
Today's important announcement will ensure that all students across the state have access to a healthy breakfast and continues our work towards our mission of a hunger-free PA. As school nutrition professionals, we know that far too many families in Pennsylvania experience obstacles to providing healthy morning meals. Rising food costs and managing household budgets can mean that students arrive hungry and not ready to learn. Universal free breakfast for the 2022-23 school year is a critical step towards filling this void for our children every school day.
The Universal Free Breakfast Program will go into effect on October 1, 2022 and run through the end of the 2022-23 school year. More than 1.7 million Pennsylvania children enrolled in public schools, intermediate units, charter schools, career and technology schools, and child care institutions that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs will benefit from this state-funded program. The $21.5 million program is funded with prior year funding from the School Food Services General Fund appropriation. Interested schools that do not currently participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs can find information for applying on the Department of Education’s website.
For a full press release on today's announcement, click HERE.