H.R. 7999: Breakfast After the Bell Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Breakfast After the Bell Act of 2026, proposes to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The main objective of the legislation is to provide financial support to schools that implement a breakfast program that serves students after the school day has officially begun. Here are the principal aspects of the bill:

Increased Reimbursement

The bill specifies that:

• A State educational agency will receive an additional reimbursement of 10 cents for each breakfast served that meets certain criteria.
• This reimbursement applies to breakfasts served:
• After the school day has started.
• Through a designated breakfast after the bell program.
• Eligible schools must meet one of two conditions:
  • They are served by a local educational agency that opts to receive special assistance payments for the school year.
  • They had at least 40 percent of their enrolled students identified for assistance in the previous school year.

Distribution of Funds

State educational agencies that receive this additional reimbursement are required to disburse the funds to the specific schools that served the breakfasts. This ensures that the schools directly benefit from the extra funding provided by the program.

Definition of Breakfast After the Bell Program

The legislation defines a breakfast after the bell program as one that:

• Serves breakfast to students after the official start of the school day.
• Utilizes service methods that could include serving breakfast in classrooms or at kiosks outside the traditional cafeteria setting. The methods should be aimed at increasing student participation in the breakfast program.

Implications

The additional financial support is designed to encourage more schools to implement or maintain breakfast programs that serve students at times conducive to increased participation. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing meals to students in a way that is accessible and encourages their uptake of school breakfast offerings.

Relevant Companies

None found.