Legislation and Purpose

On October 31, 1998, President Clinton signed the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-336). This Act expanded the Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide cash reimbursements for snacks served to children and youth in certain afterschool care programs. This Act demonstrates USDA's commitment to supporting afterschool activities aimed at promoting the health and well being of children and youth in our communities.

• Federal Regulations
• 10/2/12 FNS Letter from Under Secretary Concannon addressing questions surrounding the NSLP's new meal pattern requirements including information on calories, afterschool snack programs, and supper programs.
  • Fact Sheet: Calories in School Meals
  • Fact Sheet: Afterschool Snacks and Supper Programs
• USDA Guidance Memo - Eligibility of Expanded Learning Time Programs for Afterschool Snack Service in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - January 21, 2011

NOTE: Free Adobe Reader software is available at:

Eligible Programs

Programs that provide care after school hours may be eligible for USDA reimbursement for snacks served to children through age 18. To be eligible for reimbursement, afterschool care programs must meet the criteria below and as outlined in the USDA Question and Answers.

Under NSLP, a school food authority must operate the lunch component and the school district must sponsor or operate an afterschool care program which:

• Provides children with regularly scheduled activities in an organized, structured and supervised environment; and Includes educational or enrichment activities.
• Schools may also be eligible for reimbursement for afterschool snacks under CACFP.

Resources

• Fact Sheet
• Required Menu Pattern for Afterschool Snacks
• Regulations on Fluid Milk Substitutions

• Reimbursement Rates

  • Reimbursement Rates 2011-2012
  • Reimbursement Rates 2010-2011

• Income Eligibility Guidelines

  • School Year 2011-2012
  • School Year 2010-2011
  
   
• Recordkeeping Aids for the Afterschool Snack Program
  1. Production Record with Sample
  2. Alternate Production Record
  3. Snack Menu, Production and Meal Count Record
  4. Daily Snack Count Form for Area Eligible Sites
  5. Monthly Snack Participation Record for Non-Area Eligible Sites
  6. Sponsor Monitor Review Form

Sample Menus

• Illinois State Board of Education
• National Dairy Council
• Nebraska Department of Education