This report ranks the state’s high-poverty schools (those with 60%+ of student populations qualifying for free/reduced-priced meals) on their school breakfast participation rates – a measure of success in alleviating childhood hunger.
Despite the School Meals for All Act signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in May 2023, breakfast participation rates among the highest-need schools dropped to 48% in SY 23/24, compared to 58% in SY 19/20.
Nearly 150,000 low-income students are still missing out on a nutritious morning meal each school day. By moving breakfast to After the Bell when students are in attendance, everyone has equal access to the meal and participation soars leading to better academic and health outcomes for kids. If all high-poverty schools adopted and ran optimally After the Bell programs, they would draw down an additional $67 million in USDA funds to cash-strapped district nutrition departments statewide. To learn more, click here.
This year’s Healthy Start Award Ceremony recognized 160 schools from 34 districts across the state with a $500 unrestricted grant award for sustaining 80%+ participation rates in their school breakfast programs. A cohort of ten schools received the distinguished Healthy Start Leadership Award for efforts to increase in school breakfast participation via after the bell breakfast (ATB) programming among charter operators and “mixed need” districts. For a full list of Healthy Start Schools please click here.