Legislation filed to remove 'Barrier to Breakfast' in Kentucky schools

Representative Steve Riley, Feeding Kentucky's Kate McDonald, Bowling Green Schools Food Service Director Dalla Emerson, Senator Jason Howell, and Commissioner Quarles launch effort to remove barriers to school breakfast.

Bill would allow students to eat breakfast in the classroom

FRANKFORT (Feb. 9, 2022) - Feeding Kentucky hosted a press conference today to support Senate Bill 151 and House Bill 435, legislation recently filed in the Kentucky General Assembly to remove the “barrier to breakfast” by clarifying the current law regarding breakfast at school. The simple change will leave no ambiguity as to what is allowed: Under the proposed legislation, school districts are permitted to serve breakfast during the first 15 minutes of instructional time.

Currently, school districts across the commonwealth say that they do not know if breakfast during instructional time is permitted by state law or not.

Senator Jason Howell filed the legislation in the Senate, and Representative Steve Riley filed the bill in the House. Both legislators noted that this is an easy fix that everyone can support.

“Far too many students across Kentucky are missing the most important meal of the day because they cannot get to school early enough for the scheduled breakfast time,” noted Senator Howell.

“In fact, only 6 of 10 students who are eligible for free and reduced meals eat breakfast. Long bus rides and other circumstances out of students’ control should not be a factor here. All of our students should have the opportunity to eat breakfast,” Representative Riley added.

An estimated 272,938 children in Kentucky miss school breakfast. If the legislation passes, each district will determine if the policy to allow breakfast during the first 15 minutes of instructional time is needed for their students.

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles also gave remarks at the press conference, sharing his support of the legislation.

“During my time in office, I have worked hard to reduce hunger in every county across the Commonwealth,” Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles said. “One thing we’ve learned these last few years is that it’s hard for our kids to learn when they are just plain hungry. This legislation will reduce hunger by allowing school districts to serve students breakfast during the first 15 minutes of instructional time. I applaud my friends Senator Howell and Representative Riley for leading the charge to make sure our kids get fed.”

A number of other organizations throughout the state have already expressed their support for this legislation, including Kentucky Youth Advocates, Kentucky Community Farm Alliance, and No Kid Hungry.

The full press conference can be viewed here.

More information about the legislation can be found here.