For your information and action:

Recently the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began notifying 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program Directors that breakfast, lunch and afterschool snacks cannot be claimed under the National School Lunch Program on days when school is not normally in session, but the 21st CCLC program is operational. State Directors were reminded that when school nutrition programs are provided on non school days, funding for food and labor must come from other sources.

One source of funding on non-school days is the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food (CACF) program. The CACF program contains a provision that allows breakfast, lunch and snacks to be claimed on non school days for children up to the age of 12. While the reimbursement rates for CACF are the same as the School Lunch program, different agreements and claim forms must be submitted.

Afterschool programs that are operating during the summer may apply for reimbursement under the USDA's Summer Food Services program. The program is open to both elementary and secondary school age students. State Directors are encouraged to share this information with their local project coordinators and to continue to work closely with the child nutrition specialists in their agency.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact:

Shawn Stelow
Team Leader, 21st CCLC
Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC  20202
202.205.1656