Number of Children Participating in the School Breakfast Program

Description: 

Monthly average number of children participating in the School Breakfast Program.

Methodological Notes: 

The School Breakfast Program is a federal program that provides cash assistance to states to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the program receive cash subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve breakfasts that meet federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price breakfasts to eligible children.

The monthly average number of children is computed with data from October through December of the previous year, plus January through May plus September of the current year.