School Nutrition Programs (Updated 12/18/08)
There are several programs available to support meals and snacks in public as well as private non-profit schools. The National School Lunch Program is the oldest federal nutrition program. Through this program public and private schools, and residential child care institutions, receive subsidies for lunches served to students enrolled in twelfth grade and under. The School Breakfast Program provides subsidies to support breakfast meals served to students in public and private schools, and residential child care institutions. Research continues to show that students who eat breakfast do better in school. Schools and non-residential child care programs that do not participate in either the Breakfast or Lunch Program may participate in the Special Milk Program which provides subsidies for milk served to school children who do not have access to a meal program. Schools may also offer subsidized After School Snacks to children in organized after school activities other than intramural sports.
Child & Adult Care Food Program
The Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks served in daycare settings that meet meal pattern guidelines. CACFP is a federal program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and is administered in Vermont by the Department of Education. The program generally operates in childcare centers, outside-of-school-hours care centers, family daycare homes, some adult daycare centers and after-school care programs.
Summer Programs
Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does the need for good nutrition. Congress created the Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) in 1968 out of concern for those children who depend on free and reduced-price school meals during the school year. The SFSP is administered nationally by the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, and within Vermont by the Department of Education's Child Nutrition Programs. Children ages 18 and under are eligible to participate in the Summer Food Service Program.
After School Snack Programs
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for snacks and, in some cases meals, to after school care programs that are operated by schools, local government agencies, private non-profit organizations, and licensed non-profit and some for-profit child care centers. To participate in the At-Risk CACFP After School Snack Program, the program must be located in a school or geographic area with 50% or more of the enrolled students eligible for free or reduced price school meals. Programs not located in an eligible area are eligible to participate through the traditional CACFP.