Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Department of Agriculture

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS MAY RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SNACKS

For Immediate Release: June 15, 1999 Contact:

Hope Gruzlovic
(609)292-8896
hope.gruzlovic@ag.state.nj.us
     
New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Art Brown, Jr., said today that child care centers sponsoring United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food programs can now receive reimbursement for snacks served to children between the ages of 12 and 18 as part of qualifying after school care programs.

Before the expansion of USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) under the federal Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998, snack reimbursement was only provided for children up to age 12 in licensed day care centers.

AThe Act demonstrates USDA's commitment to supporting after school activities aimed at promoting the health and well being of children and youth in our communities,A said Christopher J. Martin, administrator for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service's Mid-Atlantic Region.

To be eligible for this new USDA reimbursement component, after school care programs must meet the following CACFP criteria:
  • An eligible institution must be a public governmental entity, including public schools or private not-for-profit organizations (i.e., IRS tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code).

    The purpose of the program must be the provision of care in an after school setting.

    Programs must include regularly scheduled education or enrichment activities in organized, structured and supervised environments.

  • The school age child care facility must be located in a school attendance zone where at least 50% of enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced price school meals.

For more information, contact NJDA's Bureau of Child Nutrition at 609-984-1250.