PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — School children in Pennsylvania will be able to get a free school breakfast starting Oct. 1.
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced a plan to provide breakfast to 1.7 million students enrolled in public schools, intermediate units, charter schools, career and technology schools, and child care.
The Universal Free Breakfast Program will run through the end of the 2022-23 school year for those who participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. At a cost of $21.5 million, the program is funded from the prior year's School Food Services General Fund appropriation.
Schools that do not currently participate in those food assistance programs can apply to participate on the Department of Education's website.
According to the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania, research shows a child who starts the day with breakfast is more likely to show up for school, has improved concentration and is more willing to participate in the classroom.
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