School Breakfast Measure Signed

Gov. Pete Wilson on Friday signed into law a measure that seeks to combat childhood hunger by making funds to launch breakfast programs available to an additional 420 schools throughout the state. The law could result in up to 65,000 more children receiving a subsidized morning meal at school.

Now, 4,925 California public schools offer federally subsidized breakfasts; about 3,575 do not.

Wilson signed the bill, which becomes effective Jan. 1, because he is concerned that hungry children cannot focus on learning and are therefore failing in school, spokesman Jesus Arredondo said.

The bill makes it easier for schools to qualify for the start-up funds. Previously, the only schools to qualify were those in which students from low-income families made up 40% or more of the student body; under the new law, schools with 30% of students from low-income families will qualify.

The start-up funds--up to $10,000 per school--are used to buy equipment that enables schools to take advantage of a federal program that pays for breakfast foods.

To further encourage schools to begin breakfast programs, the governor has increased start-up funding to $5 million in fiscal 1995-96, up from $2 million the previous year, his spokesman said.