Afterschool Meals in Economic Recovery Act[Back to Economic Recovery Main Page]
The House-paseed American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 has approximately $726 million to be made available for this fund through September 30, 2010. This provision is not included in the Senate bill. The program would support afterschool snacks and the extension of a current afterschool dinner pilot program, potentially to be made available to all states (currently only available in 8 states).
In 1998, a new federal regulation established an At-Risk program for groups in low income areas allowing after-school programs serving snacks through CACFP or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to serve free snacks to all children through the age of 18. An area is considered low-income when 50 percent or more of the students at a school serving the area are qualified for free and reduced-price school meals.
If the after-school program is not located in a low-income area and is serving snacks through NSLP, or it is using CACFP to serve snacks and meals to youth through age 12, then the program is reimbursed for each snack or meal based on household income. The program automatically receives the lowest reimbursement rate, the "paid rate," for each meal or snack served through either NSLP or CACFP without any documentation of household income. To receive a higher rate of reimbursement, the program must document the children's household income. The program receives the highest reimbursement rate, the "free rate," for food served to children whose household income is at or below 130% of poverty, and the middle rate, the "reduced-price rate," for snacks served to children whose household income is at or below 185% of poverty.
Basic Facts - tools and materials about the program as it currently operates, how it has been used to support afterschool, and its administration and application process.
Make the Case - Afterschool programs are in a perfect position to help ensure that children get nutritious meals and snacks, and do not go hungry. Programs can help states and cities take full advantage of their entitlement to snack and supper for low-income youth. See the following resources related to afterschool and supporting children's health, and the need for meal supports in your state:
Questions, Answers and Ideas - Read and share questions and strategies on the Afterschool Alliance’s Economic Recovery Wiki | 
