After School Snack Program

The Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) became an official part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) on October 1, 1998. The ASP provides snacks to children participating in eligible programs after their regular school day is completed.

How does it work?
The ASP is a federal reimbursement program established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program provides reimbursement to sponsors for snacks that meet federal meal pattern requirements. The ASP must be district operated; retaining financial and management responsibilities for the program, and snacks must be claimed through the food service department

Who may participate?
Any school, public or private, Residential Child Care Institutions, or Boarding Schools that participates in the NSLP may participate in the ASP. The program must provide children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in a supervised environment. Organized, interscholastic athletic programs are not eligible to participate in the program.

How do children qualify for free or reduced price snacks?
Eligibility for the Regular ASP is based on the same income guidelines as the NSLP, which determines reimbursement in paid, free, and reduced price categories.

The Area Eligible ASP provides the snack free to all children in a qualified attendance area. A qualified attendance area is eligible for this program if the site has 50% or more of the enrolled children approved for free and reduced price meals.

What are the snack requirements?

To qualify for reimbursement, ASP snacks must meet federal requirements. Afterschool snacks must include at least two servings of different foods from these four components: Fluid milk, meat/meat alternate, vegetable/fruit, and whole or enriched grain. Serving sizes vary based on the grade level of the students. One snack per day may be claimed for reimbursement.

More information may be found on the USDA Afte​r School Snack Fact Sheet​Opens In A New Window.