IL SR0339

More than 15% of Illinoisans and 22% of Illinois children struggle with food insecurity, lacking consistent access to adequate food.

Illinois dropped from 36th to 40th nationally in school breakfast participation during 2013-2014 and left $90.4 million in unclaimed federal breakfast funding.

Schools with 70% or higher Free and Reduced Price eligibility provided breakfast to only 45% of eligible students in 2013-2014, with only 4 of 100 largest districts achieving 70% or higher participation rates.

Encourages schools participating in the School Breakfast Program, particularly those with 70% or higher Free and Reduced Price eligibility, to implement alternative delivery models such as Breakfast in the Classroom and Grab N' Go at no cost to students.

Directs the Illinois Commission to End Hunger's No Kid Hungry Working Group to report to the General Assembly by November 4, 2015 on the impact of providing alternative breakfast models, with emphasis on schools with 70% or higher Free and Reduced Price eligibility.