California Food Policy Advocates launched Breakfast First: Healthy Food for Hungry Minds in Fall 2004 to respond to the twin nutritional problems of childhood obesity and food insecurity/ hunger. With these problems entrenched in California, it’s clear that kids don’t have consistent access to the food they need to thrive.

Luckily, California can respond to both problems with one strategy: the School Breakfast Program. Research shows it fights hunger and prevents obesity. Yet some California schools don’t offer the program and, even where it does exist, participation is usually very low.

Breakfast First is a chance for Californians to rally around the winning strategy of School Breakfast. As illustrated through the Campaign website (www.breakfastfirst.org), the Campaign will include numerous components:

• Focus groups and other on-the-ground research to understand why the potential benefits of the School Breakfast Program remain untapped;
• One-on-one technical assistance to schools and school districts to help them improve their programs;
• Resource materials for parents, students and community leaders to take action in their neighborhoods;
• Policy development and legislation at the local, state and federal levels;
• Opportunities for health care providers, business leaders and others new to school issues to get involved.

Click on the links below to learn more about Breakfast First: Healthy Food for Hungry Minds:

• Campaign Overview
• Goals
• School Breakfast Facts
• Partners
• Donate to Breakfast First
• Join the Campaign
• Evaluation