Governor Bredesen Spotlights Value of School Breakfast Program

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed March 2 - 6 School Breakfast Week in Tennessee to remind Tennesseans of the availability of the School Breakfast Program for all students. The School Breakfast Program is a national federally funded program that provides nutritionally balanced breakfasts to students in school. More than 30 million Tennessee students participate each year. 

“Growing students need the fuel a healthy breakfast provides to be able to concentrate and do well in school,” Governor Bredesen said. “The School Breakfast Program means no student should have to start the school day hungry.”

School Nutrition Programs across Tennessee and the nation will promote School Breakfast Week with breakfast-themed superheroes and the motto ‘Power Up! With School Breakfast!’

“Research has shown an undeniable link between academic performance and nutrition,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “School Breakfast Week uses fun educational activities to teach students about the real and important necessity of a healthy diet for life.”

Students are invited to design their own original breakfast hero with a description of the importance of breakfast for the chance to have a professionally rendered version published on the School Nutrition Association’s Web site. Three winners nationwide will be chosen and each will receive a signed copy of the professional illustration.

The School Breakfast Program began as a small, federally funded pilot project in 1966, but was made permanent and available to all schools in 1975. Eligible students may receive free or reduced price meals, but any student may purchase breakfast at an affordable cost.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.  

###