USDA Nutrition programs don’t stop when school lets out.  The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Afterschool Meals and Snacks and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Snack Programs are designed to address the nutrition gaps that may occur when at-risk students are not in school, drawing them into supervised afterschool activities that are safe, fun, and educational.  Meals and snacks served under the programs must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served to students age 18 and under at eligible programs that occur afterschool, on holidays, and weekends during the school year.  Schools, child care centers and community programs may be eligible to participate if they are located in an attendance area of a school in which at least 50 percent of enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. 

Alternatively, afterschool care educational programs not participating in the CACFP Afterschool Meals and Snacks Program, may receive reimbursements for snacks through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).  Through NSLP, if a program is located in an attendance area of a school in which at least 50 percent or more of enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, then all snacks served at that afterschool program will be at the free reimbursement rate.  For other attendance areas, snacks are reimbursed on a sliding scale based on the number of students that qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals. 

Afterschool providers and schools interested in the opportunity to participate in any of the Afterschool Meals and Snacks Programs should fill out the agency questionnaire to receive more information.

Maryland Hunger Solutions Guide to the Afterschool Meal Program