All public school students eligible for free breakfasts

County’s pupils can receive meal regardless of income level

All students in Blair County public schools and across the state will receive free breakfast this school year, regardless of income. In addition, students who are eligible for reduced-price lunches will receive those for free.

The move was announced after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a portion of the state budget that includes a $46.5 million increase to provide universal free breakfast to the state's public school students.

"We're thrilled that every student will have access to a healthy, nutritious and delicious breakfast at no cost to them or their families," Nancy Kohl, president of K-12 at The Nutrition Group, said in a letter sent to Bellwood-Antis families.

The letter, sent by Stephanie Harpster, director of food and nutrition for the Bellwood-Antis School District, said families don't have to enroll students in the program to receive the free breakfast.

Before the announcement, student breakfasts at schools in the area ranged from $1.20 at Altoona Area to $1.45 at Williamsburg Community. Districts will be reimbursed for the costs incurred by supplying the breakfasts, with the rate based on students' eligibility for free, reduced or full-priced meals, as well as the meal volume served, Harpster said.

However, students not getting a full meal, and instead buying individual food items, will be charged the a la carte price.

School officials have long said breakfast is important and helps students learn.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; it gives them a good start and fuels the brain for the rest of the day," Harpster said.

Some area school districts were already on tap to provide both free breakfast and lunch to all students, based on the Community Eligibility Provision.

Claysburg-Kimmel is one of the districts that qualifies for the CEP, which is based on the entire district being considered a low-income area. Schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students eligible for free meals based on their participation in other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Dena Burket, the business manager at Claysburg-Kimmel, said the district has been providing free breakfast and lunch for years through the CEP and the program has garnered enthusiastic feedback from district families.

She said the free meals help ensure all students begin their days with a nutritious foundation, emphasizing that proper nutrition enhances cognitive function and students' overall well-being.

Altoona Area applied for and received the CEP designation, district spokeswoman Paula Foreman said. That means in addition to free breakfast, all students in the district will receive lunch, too, regardless of their family's economic status.

Students will still have the option to purchase additional meals or items a la carte, Foreman said.

Being able to provide free meals to students is important, she added, stating that it's difficult for students to focus when they're hungry.

Studies on the importance of breakfast "show that it boosts energy levels, boosts brain function and helps individuals make healthy food choices throughout the day," Foreman said.

While all school districts will provide free breakfast to all students, and free lunch to all qualified students, not all Blair County school districts have been granted a CEP. Parents and guardians should check with their districts before the start of school to fill out any required forms.

Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.