Child and Adult Care Food Program

-After School Nutrition Programs-

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a USDA program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, and sponsored by NIFB. This program offers economically deprived children a nutritious snack or meal so that they may fully benefit from homework, games, recreation and educational opportunities during the crucial after-school hours. The after school program started in 2004 with 20 sites. There were 64 sites during the 2007-2008 school year that distributed 240,555 meals.

What programs are available to sites?

The YNP operates three after school nutrition programs: the After School Snack Program, the Super Snack/Cold Supper Program and the Hot Supper Program. (Click here for more information on the Hot Supper Program.) The After School Snack Program meets the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal guidelines for a supplement/snack, while the Super Snack meets the supper guidelines, providing kids with more nutritious food, and sites with fewer preparation/storage responsibilities than a hot supper. Take a look at sample menus below!

Who can participate?

To be eligible for CACFP, the elementary school closest to the youth program must have at least 50% of its students eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches through the National School Lunch Program. Sites must offer enrichment activities for all kids.

What kind of food will kids receive?
Nutrition is an essential part of keeping kids healthy and helping them succeed in school. The snacks and Super Snacks NIFB provides meet USDA nutrition guidelines and do not require staff preparation. Each snack is made up of milk, fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, whole grains and protein.

Super Snacks are packed in small cardboard lunchboxes. A typical week from the Super Snack menu might look like this:

After school snacks are delivered in bulk and sites must follow the menu. A sample week might look like this:

Do programs have to pay for after school snacks?
Qualifying after-school programs participate free of charge. The USDA, donations and grants fund the programs. 

What is required from youth programs? 
Interested programs must complete an enrollment application and attach a copy of their 501(c)3 or tax-exempt letter. Programs not located in schools must also attach fire and health inspection reports with no violations. An NIFB representative will then conduct a pre-operational visit to confirm that the facility is capable of participating in the CACFP. All key staff members must attend a training session provided by NIFB. All of this documentation will be submitted to ISBE for approval.

Returning sites must complete a reenrollment application and key staff must attend a returning staff training session. Health and fire inspections must be completed every year, and copies of violation-free inspection reports must be submitted to NIFB. (Sites located in public schools are not required to do this.)

How will meals or snacks get to sites?
NIFB or a contracted vendor will deliver. Deliveries for the after school snack program are made once a week. Sites receive two deliveries a week for the Super Snack. Arrangements may be made for pick-ups at branch locations.

How can I help?

NIFB relies on the generosity and talent of its of volunteers and donors.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Youth Nutrition Program, please check out available positions in your area by clicking here. NIFB is also happy to mail a brochure about volunteer opportunities. Please call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator.

If you would like to donate to the After School Programs please click here.

Further Information

For more information on after school nutrition programs call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org, ATTN: Youth Nutrition Coordinator or visit the Youth Nutrition Message Board by clicking here.
 
For information on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs, visit www.isbe.net/nutrition or call (800) 545-7892.

In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, you must write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800.795.3272 (voice) or 202.720.6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.