Breakfast program gives Florida’s kids a fresh start
Children cannot succeed without the food necessary to nourish their bodies and minds. Without good nutrition, children tend to have lower grades, behavioral problems, increased absenteeism and tardiness.
More than 1.8 million children rely on our school breakfast and lunch programs during the school year — in some cases, those meals are the only ones the children get. But while school is out for the summer, some children struggle to access wholesome meals.
In order to bridge this gap for healthier living yearround for Florida’s children, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services runs the Summer BreakSpot program.
The Summer BreakSpot program connects children with nutritious food by partnering with local entities, such as community centers, churches, the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA. In addition to providing access to meals, many of our partners provide recreational and educational opportunities. By providing essential fuel and a safe environment for constructive activities, the Summer BreakSpot program gives children the environment and resources they need to succeed.
The success of this program is dependent on our ability to reach students where they live and play during the summer months. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has worked diligently to address this challenge. Over the past two years, the number of meals served through Summer BreakSpot sites has increased by 21 percent, and we are continuing on this upward trend. Last year, the program provided more than 13.5 million meals to more than 300,000 children throughout Florida.
We have increased the number of children served through the Summer BreakSpot program by: increasing the number of sites; partnering with 2-1-1 to connect families and children to sites through this local resource; working with faith-based and communitybased organizations to increase outreach efforts; sending mail directly to eligible families; promoting the program through billboards, bus wraps and bus stop signage; and holding virtual meetings with sponsors and community partners to better coordinate and evaluate efforts.
Children deserve the best start they can get in life, and by providing healthy meals year-round, we can enhance their academic performance and the early successes that lead to a lifetime of achievement.
Help us continue on our upward trend and fuel children’s success this summer. Visit FreshFromFlorida.com to learn more.