EXPANDING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH THE BREAKFAST IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM IN A RURAL NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

Throughout the United States, households with children experience disparate rates of food insecurity. In Cleveland County, North Carolina (NC), 23.3% of households with children are food insecure, compared to 16.4% of all county residents. Many food insecure children rely on school meals for food that they may not have access to at home. The Federally Funded School Breakfast Program (SBP) reduces marginal food insecurity, but it is underutilized due to barriers such as stigma and the inability to arrive early to school to participate. Innovative models, such as Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), alleviate barriers to utilization and have been shown to increase participation up to 88%. Through a partnership between the Cleveland County Commissioners, the faculty, staff and administration of the Cleveland County Public School System, No Kid Hungry NC and families of Cleveland County, the BIC will be implemented to reduce food insecurity among children.Master of Public Healt