SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS SELECTED FOR SCHOOL BREAKFAST PILOT PROGRAM AND
  STUDY 
                                        Release No. 0165.00
                                                           
                                                           
                        Mary Beth Schultheis (202) 720-4623
                              mary_beth.schultheis@usda.gov
                                Jean Daniel  (703) 305-2286
                                   jean.daniel@fns.usda.gov
  
  SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS SELECTED FOR SCHOOL BREAKFAST PILOT PROGRAM AND
  STUDY
  
       WICHITA, May 15, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
  announced today
  that USDA will provide free school breakfasts to elementary school
  children in six school districts across the country as part of a
  comprehensive study examining the critical link between a nutritious
  breakfast and learning.
  
       "Parents, teachers, doctors and scientists all understand the
  importance a healthy, nutritious breakfast can make to better learning,"
  said Glickman.  "This major new study is the most comprehensive ever to
  examine the link between nutrition and learning for children." 
  
  The six school districts selected to participate are:
  
            Independent School District of Boise City, Boise, Idaho
            Shelby County Board of Education, Columbiana, Ala.
            Harrison County School District, Gulfport, Miss.
            Washington Elementary School District, Phoenix, Ariz.
            Santa Rosa City Schools, Santa Rosa, Calif.
            Wichita Public Schools, Wichita, Kan.
  
       Almost 400 school districts in 43 states expressed interest in
  participating in the School Breakfast Pilot Program. 
  
       The selected sites represent a mix of rural, suburban and urban
  elementary schools, with varying family income levels.
  
       The School Breakfast Pilot Program will evaluate the benefits of a
  three-year universal free school breakfast program.  Research to date
  has shown a direct link between eating breakfast and higher test scores,
  improved behavior and improved attendance. 
  
       The School Lunch Program, one of the most successful federal
  nutrition programs, served lunch to 27 million children last year,
  including free and reduced cost lunches.
  
                              
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