11.18.2014 Afterschool programs provide safe and healthy places for children to learn and grow. Nutritious afterschool meals can bridge the hunger gap between lunch and dinner while supporting student achievement.
The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act led to wide-reaching improvements across the federal child nutrition programs, including afterschool nutrition. Thanks to this legislation, the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Supper Meals program is now available in all 50 states. The afterschool meal provided through CACFP is superior to afterschool snacks served through the federal child nutrition programs, and the significantly higher reimbursement rate for the meals greatly benefits program sponsors. Offering a more substantial afterschool meal alleviates food insecurity, and can help enrichment programs maintain attendance, improve behavior and support learning.
The program has spread rapidly throughout the state, and as of May 2014, more than 2,200 approved California program sites were serving CACFP afterschool meals. While most collaborative efforts have focused on enrolling more sponsors and sites in the new program, improving the quality and appeal of the meals should be a parallel priority to program expansion.
A new CFPA issue brief explores policies and practices that maximize the benefits of afterschool meals:
Improving the Quality of Afterschool Meals. PDF
CFPA also led a session featuring experienced, high-quality afterschool meal sponsors at the 2014 California School Nutrition Conference. PDF
Questions? Contact Tracey at 510-433-1122 ext 101.
