School Breakfast Program

In Rhode Island, the School Breakfast Program provides balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to an average of about 7,000 children daily. Program participants include public school districts, private schools, residential child care institutions, and state schools. State law mandates that all public schools provide a breakfast program.

As in the lunch program, children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty level are eligible for free meals. Children between 130 percent and 185 percent of poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals ($.30 or less). Children from families over 185 percent of poverty may pay a regular price for their subsidized meal. About 95 percent of the breakfasts served in Rhode Island are served free or at a reduced price.