![](media/image1.wmf){width="0.99375in" height="0.6784722222222223in"}
Sample NEWS RELEASE

**U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Mountain
Plains Region**

**1244 Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80204 Phone: 303-844-0312 Fax:
303-844-6203**

**CONTACT: Linda Glaser,** ND Dept. of Public Instruction, 701-328-2294

###  Anjali Budhiraja, USDA FNS, 303-844-0312

### 

### [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]{.underline} 

NORTH DAKOTA HOPES SCHOOL DISTRICTS WARM UP TO BREAKFAST

After the holidays, it's back to regular work and school routines for
parents and children alike. An important part of that daily routine is
making sure children eat healthy meals. State educators believe the
challenge of feeding kids can be made easier by having them eat
breakfast at school.

North Dakota has been selected as one of several target states in the
national effort to increase the number of students who eat breakfast at
school. It was selected after the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
ranked North Dakota 44^th^ in the nation in school breakfast access by
low-income children.

"Research has shown that breakfast is the most important meal of the day
for all of us," says State Superintendent of Public Instruction Wayne
Sanstead. "There is clearly a link between eating breakfast and being
ready to learn. One of the state's primary objectives is to provide a
healthy learning environment, and I believe it is very important to have
school breakfast available to as many students as possible."

"This is a good time of year to encourage schools and parents to start
up the school breakfast program," says Linda Glaser, state school
nutrition manager. "School districts can start the breakfast program at
any time, and during the colder months, it's nice for kids to warm up
with breakfast at school." Furthermore, like school lunch, school
breakfast is available to all students who want it.

Statistics show not as many North Dakota students have access to
breakfast as educators would like. Last winter, only 34 out of every 100
students who received a free or reduced-price lunch ate school
breakfast. Out of 239 school districts that operate the school lunch
program, only 131 participate in the breakfast program. "We really want
to increase availability," Sanstead said.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.25in" height="0.32013888888888886in"}To
help districts take on the program, state child nutrition officials
conducted an informal survey of 36 school districts where more than 35
percent of their students are eligible for free or reduced priced meals.
From the survey, state officials learned the top concerns for school
districts are making breakfast work around bus and school schedules.
They also found that districts are interested in hearing what other
schools are doing to make it work.

In response to these concerns, the state is preparing marketing
materials that include best practice examples from a variety of school
districts. The state also plans to reach some areas with radio ads in
partnership with the Midwest Dairy Council and the USDA.

School breakfast operates in the same manner as the lunch program.
Generally, public or nonprofit private grade schools, high schools and
childcare institutions may participate in the program. School districts
and independent schools that operate a breakfast program receive cash
subsidies from USDA 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.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.25in" height="0.32013888888888886in"} For
information about implementing the breakfast program, districts should
contact Linda Glaser of the North Dakota Department of Public
Instruction at 701-328-2294.