Afterschool snacks

The Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule regarding afterschool snacks in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Two federal programs govern the for availability of snacks: CACFP and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These new regulations do not affect NSLP. The final rule incorporates into the CACFP regulations the provisions of the William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998, which authorizes the reimbursement of afterschool care centers meeting certain criteria for snacks served to at-risk children aged 18 years or younger. This rule establishes the eligibility of at-risk afterschool care centers to serve free snacks to children who participate in afterschool programs. The centers, which must be located in areas where 50% or more of enrolled children are certified as eligible to receive free or reduced price school meals, are reimbursed at the higher "free rate" for snacks. This final rule is effective August 30, 2007.

72 Fed. Reg. 41,591
[USDA final regulation]