USDA has the AfterSchool snacks program that provides nutritious snacks to children after school. This will help children learn the importance of good nutrition all day, every day. Healthy snacking contributes to healthy eating patterns now and in the future. Who is eligible to receive afterschool snacks? All school-age children who are 18 or under at the start of the school year may receive a reimbursable snack. What kinds of snacks are served? Snacks must contain at least two different components from the following four: fluid milk, meat/meat alternate, vegetable(s) or fruit(s) or full-strength vegetable or fruit juice, whole-grain or enriched bread or cereal.

AFTERSCHOOL SNACKS - FACT SHEET

• Reimbursement for Afterschool Snacks in the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program

• 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.

• 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.

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. Under CACFP, an eligible institution must operate an afterschool care program which:

• Provides children with regularly scheduled activities in an organized, structured and supervised environment;

• Includes educational or enrichment activities; and I

• s located in a geographical area served by a school in which 50 percent or more of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced price school meals.

Schools may also be eligible for reimbursement for afterschool snacks under CACFP.
Effective Date: Reimbursement for snacks served in afterschool care programs became effective on October 1, 1998