After School Care Program:
Become a Sponsor

After School Snack

An afterschool care program site is "area eligible" if it is located at a school or in the attendance area of a school where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced price meals. For example, if a high school with less than 50 percent free or reduced price school enrollment is located in the attendance area of a middle school that has 50 percent or more of the enrolled children eligible for free or reduced price meals, then the afterschool care program located in the high school would be area eligible.
If a site is not area eligible, the sponsor must determine which students are eligible for free or reduced price benefits. Since the school district is already participating in the NSLP, it will have free and reduced price applications on file. The eligibility determinations for those applications would apply for both the lunch and snack service under the NSLP. If an approved free or reduced price application is not on file, the sponsor will earn the paid rate of reimbursement for snacks served to that student unless the student makes application and is approved for free or reduced price benefits.

After-School Snack Form

At-Risk Supper

Most afterschool programs already serve a snack in order to keep children focused and engaged throughout the afternoon. Yet, for many children the snack is not enough. Children eat lunch hours before the afterschool program, sometimes as early as 10:30 in the morning, and need more than just a snack to make it through the afternoon. In addition, many families are struggling financially and providing a nutritious meal after school makes it easier for parents to make ends meet.

The supper meal can be served at any point during the afterschool program. Even though it is called a supper when it is served after school, program staff can determine the best time to serve the meal. It can even be right when the children walk through the door.

Both a meal and a snack can be served depending on the length of the program. The OCN is allowed to determine the length of time between meal services. Afterschool programs absolutely should consider serving both if the program operates for three or more hours, and may be able to serve both if the program runs between two and three hours.

The meals do not have to be prepared at the afterschool program, and there is no requirement for the afterschool program to have a kitchen. Afterschool programs can purchase prepared meals or prepare meals on sites, depending on what works best for the program. Potential vendors include the school food service department, community kitchens, food banks, and private catering companies. Programs with limited refrigeration space can store meals in coolers.

The meals can be served hot, but do not have to be. In fact, many successful programs serve nutritious and appealing cold meals to children. The main entrée can be a sandwich, wrap, or pita pocket.

If you are interested in the supper program, please contact the OCN at (304) 558-3396.

At-Risk Supper Form

Meeting the Nutrition Guidelines is Easy

All meals served through the Child and Adult Care Food Program must meet USDA nutrition guidelines. Suppers (and lunches) require: one serving of milk, two servings of fruits and/or vegetables; one serving of grains; and one serving of protein. Snacks must include two out of the four components: milk, fruits and/or vegetables; grains; and protein.

The OCN can provide additional information about the nutrition guidelines and help plan menus that meet the USDA requirements. Also, check out FRAC's model supper and snack menus on http://www.frac.org/afterschool/menus.htm.

Providing a meal can be an easy process for program staff. Usually, the afterschool program staff simply keeps an attendance rooster, hands out the meals, and takes a meal count.

The funding grows as your program grows. The Afterschool Meal Program provides a reimbursement for each meal served, so if the number of children who participate increases so does your funding for food.

The OCN can provide additional information about the nutrition guidelines and help plan menus that meet the USDA requirements. Also, check out FRAC's model supper and snack menus on http://www.frac.org/afterschool/menus.htm.