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Supper Program
Funding for after-school meals is available to schools and after-school programs through the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act. Often referred to as “supper” programs, after school meals can be provided at any point after the school bell rings, including weekends. Supper programs aim to address food insecurity among low-income children by ensuring they have access to healthy food options even after the school day ends. There are 3.6 million low-income students in California schools who are eligible to receive free supper after school, yet only approximately 300,000 students get supper through after/out-of-school programs.1
Supper programs can be administered by schools, community organizations, or government agencies and may be supported by federal nutrition programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program. As of 2024, meals are reimbursable at approximately $4 per child per meal; a program with 50 students operating 180 days per year, could expect to receive about $36,000 a year for providing supper, 15% of which can go towards overheard.
Evidence for Use
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In a pilot project in Milwaukee, parents, principals, and afterschool staff reported improved student behavior after the implementation of supper.2 Offering meals in after school programs has the added benefit of incentivizing students to participate in additional educational or enrichment activities.3 Offering meals in after school programs has the added benefit of incentivizing students to participate in additional educational or enrichment activities.
Implementation Process
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District and site leadership start by identifying the magnitude of the need at their site(s). The supper program is more feasible to run with a larger student population qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch. Schools and programs wanting to provide free meals outside of the school day can receive up to full reimbursement through the At-Risk Afterschool Meal Component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and should apply for funding. Schools currently implementing supper report that having a good after school partner is key to success and that food storage and staffing are the two primary hang ups for implementation. The supper programs are generally promoted to families on school websites, through ParentSquare, over the intercom at sites, and on signage throughout campuses.
Best Practices
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- Roll “supper” out at one site as a pilot, then expand
- Ensure after school program staff can access facilities to provide hot meals or refrigerators to keep cold meals at the proper temperature
- Work with janitorial staff to ensure coverage for supper clean up2
Participating Schools
A large number of California schools and districts provide supper to students after school including:
Citations
1. After school programs & meals: Opportunities to support working families in California. 2018.
2. Tran C. An assessment of child & adult care food program supper pilot within Milwaukee public schools. 2009.
3. Afterschool nutrition programs. Food Research and Action Center Website. https://frac.org/programs/afterschool-nutrition-programs. Updated 2024. Accessed April 11, 2024.