Afterschool meals provide needed nutrition, but it can be difficult to put together menus that meet meal pattern requirements, align with sites' preparation and storage capacity, and appeal to kids and teens. This webinar talks through challenges as well as strategies and ideas, from snacks and shelf-stable suppers to hot meals. This webinar draws on the experience of a school district that sponsors both school and community sites as well as a non-profit sponsor that works with multiple vendors.

Panelists:

If your school is planning to implement Breakfast After the Bell (BAB), you may be wondering how that will affect classrooms. This webinar highlights strategies for set up and clean up; the supplies that make clean up quick and easy; tips for developing a plan, establishing routine and maintaining communication; and the roles that school nutrition staff, teachers, custodians and students can play in keeping classrooms clean.

Breakfast After the Bell models are the most effective ways to increase breakfast participation in schools and meet the needs of the students. Join us as we discuss the many things to think about when getting ready to implement a Breakfast After the Bell program, such as equipment, timeline, and troubleshooting.

In our last webinar of this year's "School's Out, Food's In" series, we will explore opportunities to extend meal service to migrant communities. Webinar attendees will first learn basic criteria for serving meals at migrant sites and then hear from providers who have pursued expanded service in this area.

Summer meal service at public housing sites has expanded greatly in recent years. At the same time, for this model to continue to grow, program sponsors must successfully identify and engage key decision-makers who can lend management support to meal service at sites. Learn about opportunities to work with state Rural Development offices, property management companies and site staff to implement this service model in communities you serve.

Universities are active both on and off campus grounds in ways that present opportunities for partnership when school is out. Join us to learn how effective partnerships around the country leverage university assets such as kitchen facilities and volunteers to amplify efforts to serve children when school is out.

The connection between child health and nutrition has been clearly demonstrated, and summer meals represent an exciting opportunity for enhanced partnership between these sectors. Attendees explored examples of health departments, hospitals and other healthcare providers who serve as summer meals sponsors or sites and received leaders’ perspectives on strategies for successful partnership.

Mobile meals are an established strategy to reach children and families with summer meals in hard-to-reach areas. Attendees heard from leaders in mobile service and delivery operations who provided insights to help listeners assess the viability of this approach within their community, while also shedding light on factors contributing to their success.

During the event, we learned how to approach this process in ways that promote alignment among community partners, expand the network involved in this effort, and ensure accountability to measurable goals. Please find below resources from the webinar for you to use and share.