School Administrators’ Attitudes Toward the School Breakfast Program

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe School Breakfast Program (SBP) can strengthen household food security, yet participation remains low. Stakeholder perspectives may influence SBP participation; thus, the purpose of this study was to explore school administrators’ perspectives on the SBP. Administrators from (blinded state) were recruited via email and were asked to complete an online survey about the SBP. Results indicated that almost one-third of administrators (n = 56) perceived low statewide participation was due to family-centered values. Administrators reported academic performance (n = 100; 23.8%) and hunger abatement (n = 97; 23.1%) as benefits of the SBP. Administrators indicated they did not feel the need to improve SBP rates and were not favorable to alternative breakfast models (n = 38; 30.6%). While many administrators see benefits to the SBP, many administrators throughout the state of blinded state do not see the need for increased participation or the benefits of alternative models. Continual efforts to improve administrators’ perspectives of SBP and particularly, alternative school breakfast models as a way of decreasing childhood food insecurity are needed.