One in five U.S. children live in homes where food is not always available, USDA says

Nevin Barich

MISSION, Kansas , March 1, 2012 (press release) – Studies show that breakfast can help kids boost their academic performance -- improving behavior, reducing absences and tardiness and increasing focus and physical performance according to research published in the American Dietetic Association Journal (2005). Yet, the United States Department of Agriculture states that the alarming reality is that one in five children live in homes where food is not always available, making breakfast hard to come by.

For many of these students, school breakfast programs fill in the gap and provide this key meal. This is why breakfast leader Kellogg's and Action for Healthy Kids, a leading national nonprofit and volunteer network, have partnered for the second consecutive year to help increase participation in school breakfast programs through the "Share Your Breakfast" campaign.

"At Kellogg's, we believe that a great breakfast can lead to a great day. Unfortunately, many children do not have access to this important meal, which is why our partnership with Action for Healthy Kids and the support of people across the country is so critical. Together we can make a difference and help ensure kids start the day strong," says Doug VanDeVelde, Kellogg SVP Marketing and Innovation Ready-to-Eat Cereal.

When children enjoy a bowl of cereal as part of a nutritious breakfast, they are benefitting from essential vitamins and minerals they might otherwise miss. In fact, cereal with milk is the leading source of 10 nutrients in American kids' diets and provides four nutrients -- calcium, vitamin D, potassium and fiber -- most likely to be lacking in kids' diet.

There are many ways to support the "Share Your Breakfast" movement, including sharing a description of your breakfast on www.facebook.com/Kelloggs. Each breakfast shared will help get the program one step closer to the goal of sharing one million breakfasts with kids across the country during the 2012-2013 school year. To learn more about the benefits of breakfast, visit www.Kelloggs.com/shareyourbreakfast.

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