FRAC’s Afterschool Meals Guide

Supporters

Acknowledgements

Table of Contents

About the Guide

PART ONE – Determine if your afterschool program is eligible and learn how to start serving meals

Afterschool Meal Program Basics

  • Age Requirements
  • Days of Operation
  • Meal Service
  • Available to All
  • Funding Based on Participation

Program Administration

Operating the Afterschool Meal Program

  • Contact the State Agency
  • Attend the Training
  • Application Process
  • Pre-Approval Site Visit
  • Health and Safety/Licensing Requirements
  • Developing Menus
  • Getting the Food
    • On-Site Meal Preparation
    • Finding a Food Vendor
  • Training of the Afterschool Program Staff
    • Training Tips
  • Managing Paperwork
  • Funding
  • Interactive Calendar

Participating Through the School Nutrition Department

  • Program Administration
  • Program Structure
  • Location of the Afterschool Program
  • Getting Started

Participating Through a Non-School Sponsor

  • Program Administration
  • Program Structure
  • Getting Started

Successful Program Models

PART TWO – Strategies to reduce paperwork and administrative barriers

Simplifying the Application and Paperwork Requirements

  • State Applications Tailored to the Afterschool Meal Program
  • An Easier Application Process for Schools
  • Offer Versus Serve (OVS)
  • Paperwork Reduction
  • On-line Application
  • Application Support

Meeting Health and Safety Standards

  • Tips for Creating Effective Health and Safety Standards
  • Developing Health and Safety Requirements

Training and Sample Materials

  • Ways to Provide the Most Effective Training
    • Training Specific to the Afterschool Meal Program
    • Multiple Training Dates
    • Training targeted for School Nutrition Departments
    • Training Options

PART THREE – Strategies to Increase Participation

Effective Outreach Strategies

  • Successful Outreach
  • Identifying and Recruiting Sponsors
    • School Nutrition Departments
    • Summer Food Service Program Sponsors
    • Local government agencies, parks and recreation agencies, local health departments, neighborhood services associations
    • Kid Cafes, food banks, community kitchens, community action agencies
    • Additional nonprofits
  • Developing Valuable Partnerships
  • Strategies
    • Distributing information
    • Summits
    • Conferences, webinars, conference calls
    • One-on-one communication through meetings or calls
    • Community Meetings
    • Media

Sample Brochures and Outreach Materials