The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded, state administrated, nonprofit meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The SBP provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to children each school day. First established by Congress as a pilot program in 1966, the SBP became a permanent program in 1975 and has continued to expand every year. The School Breakfast Program operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program. School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the breakfast program receive reimbursement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through their State agency (SA), for each meal they serve. In return, participating School Food Authorities (SFAs) must serve breakfasts that meet federal meal pattern requirements, and they must offer free or reduced price breakfasts to eligible children. The meal pattern and nutrition standards are based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, though decisions about specific food items to serve and how to prepare food are made by local SFAs.
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