Connect summer and afterschool meals programming to comprehensively address child hunger and stabilize program finances.
Summer meals sponsors and sites can provide meals throughout the year by operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Afterschool Meals Program. Likewise, CACFP sponsors and afterschool programs can provide needed access to meals during summer break.
Many summer meals program providers offer year-round programs and services to children, so it may make sense to offer meals and snacks year-round. However, sponsors and sites sometimes encounter barriers and extra work when trying to transition between programs. This section is designed to help program sponsors and state agencies navigate those challenges effectively.
Program sponsors: This program comparison chart is a user-friendly reference tool to help you understand the similarities and differences between the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the CACFP in order to better manage a transition between the two programs and identify opportunities to streamline operations.
State Agencies: This guide can help you better understand and work with CACFP officials to identify areas for administrative and operational streamlining and simplification, based on the most recent USDA guidance.
Nutrition Hubs: the nutrition hubs model is an effective way to maximize all of the federal nutrition programs and operate programs year round. Learn more by visiting our Schools as Nutrition Hubs page.
Navigate the transition between Summer and Afterschool Meals with this helpful side-by-side comparison of requirements. This chart highlights key differences and similarities in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program and the Summer Food Service Program.
Weekends, holidays and other days off school make up more than one third of the year. This often creates a gap in service for hungry kids, but it doesn’t have to: this tells you how child nutrition programs can serve kids every day of the year.
