Afterschool Meal Programs

Afterschool Meal Programs

Afterschool meal programs are much more widely available as a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-296) which expanded reimbursement for at-risk afterschool meals from just a few states to all states. Reimbursement for at-risk afterschool snacks has been available since the 1990s.

Two federal nutrition programs exist to feed children after school:

The Child and Adult Care Food Program serves both meals and snacks. It is particularly suited for schools interested in serving meals, local government agencies (like parks and recreation), and afterschool programs run by nonprofits.

The National School Lunch Program serves snacks. It is particularly suited for school-sponsored afterschool programs that have a food service department willing to provide healthy snacks, and afterschool programs unable to administer a nutrition program with meals but able to serve a snack.

To qualify for afterschool meals or snacks, afterschool programs must offer educational or enrichment activities. All meals must meet USDA nutritional guidelines. Meals must include all of the following -- 1 serving of grains, 2 servings of fruits and/or vegetables, 1 serving of milk, and 1 serving of protein. Snacks must include two of the four components.

You can learn more from the following links to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service:

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) General information

More specific information including eligibility, reimbursement, etc.

National School Lunch Program Afterschool Snacks General information

Fact sheet

Quick summary of afterschool meal programs

Overview of afterschool programs

Meal patterns for children’s afterschool snacks and suppers

A complete handbook titled At-Risk Afterschool Meals