SAN FRANCISCO – As students prepare for their first day of school, McDonald's restaurants in Northern California and Northern Nevada are providing free breakfast.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, participating McDonald’s locations will offer free breakfast to kindergarten through eighth grade students from 6:30 am to 9:30 am. Students, accompanied by an adult, can receive an Egg McMuffin, apple slices and 1% low-fat milk, free of charge.

"Research continues to show that breakfast is important not only for children's health, but for academic achievement, cognitive development and mental health," said Alice Fagundes, California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation chair. "This is a great program to celebrate the busy back-to-school season as McDonald's provides a wide array of breakfast options for families on-the-go."

Gino Potesta, vice president and general manager of McDonald's Pacific Sierra Region in Northern California and Northern Nevada, added, "We are excited to help families in our communities make their mornings special and start their school days with a healthy meal."