[OPLINLIST] Afterschool meals at the library through CACFP, a USDA nutrition program: all public libraries eligible in 2021-22!

[jdwyer at library.ohio.gov]

Cross-posted. Please excuse duplication.

A growing number of Ohio public libraries participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide afterschool meals to children and teens at the library.

Your library is eligible to participate and offer a daily meal or snack to children and teens during the 2021-22 school year, paid for by federal funds!

The need for this program has never been greater. The pandemic has driven a sharp increase in economic instability and food insecurity. Many families do not know how to access free meals for children who may not participate in formal afterschool programs.

Libraries and CACFP are a great fit! The library is a known, trusted, accessible community center which is known for giving stuff out for free and has no stigma of "handout" attached to it.

And, CACFP is good for the library. Besides addressing hunger and supporting vulnerable youth - and mitigating behavior issues that can be exacerbated when a child hasn't eaten in hours - participation benefits libraries through:

  *   Access to new user groups, especially underserved and marginalized populations;
  *   Increased visibility of the library as a community asset;
  *   Opportunities for new partnerships;
  *   Positioning of the library as an important stakeholder in community well-being and positive child outcomes;
  *   Support for afterschool programming through increased attendance.


Like the Summer Food Service Program, CACFP is a USDA-funded program administered in Ohio by the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Integrated Student Supports (OISS).

CACFP enables child and adult care institutions to provide nutritious meals and snacks to people in their care.  Libraries are eligible to participate in the At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of CACFP. Libraries and other entities that offer afterschool enrichment activities for at-risk children and teens can provide a daily meal or snack through CACFP. According to the OISS, public libraries qualify as offering enrichment activities by nature of their purpose. If a library is open and offers regular library services (e.g. books, computers with educational software, etc.), it qualifies for CACFP at-risk afterschool.

Ordinarily, there is an area eligibility requirement limiting participation to areas where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free or reduced price school meals. For the 2021-22 school year, this requirement has been waived by the USDA. All libraries serving all communities in Ohio are eligible this school year.

As with the Summer Food Service Program, libraries do not have to purchase or prepare the food. Libraries simply serve as sites where meals/snacks are served. Library staff typically receive temperature-controlled or shelf-stable meals/snacks dropped off at the library, coordinate and manage distribution and/or sit-down mealtimes, and handle cleanup. Outside sponsoring organizations, such as food banks, YMCAs, school districts, etc., handle the financial, administrative and food service responsibilities.

Libraries don't have to get on board right at the beginning of the school year. Libraries can apply with an area CACFP sponsor at any time, but sponsorships start on the 1st of each month, and paperwork has to be in to OSSI by the 20th of the previous month. Sponsors will have an earlier monthly deadline to have time to complete and turn in the paperwork.

Interested?


  *   If you are already an CACFP at-risk afterschool site (or have been a site in the past), work with your regular sponsor to prepare for the 2021-22 school year. Your sponsor should know all current rules, requirements, waivers, and important CACFP news.


  *   If you want to become a CACFP at-risk afterschool site, identify and contact a CACFP sponsor. Some ways to do this:
     *   An existing CACFP site in your area, such as a formal afterschool program, can direct you to their sponsor.
     *   I can help you identify nearby CACFP sponsors; please don't hesitate to email me!<mailto:jdwyer at library.ohio.gov?subject=CACFP>
     *   Children's Hunger Alliance sponsors CACFP at-risk afterschool sites in all 88 counties. Contact Jared Buerger, Director of CHA's Afterschool Nutrition Program, at jbuerger at childrenshungeralliance.org<mailto:jbuerger at childrenshungeralliance.org> or (614) 927-0313.

Thank you for your consideration, and for your constant support of the children and teens in your community!

Sincerely,
Janet

[cid:image002.jpg at 01D78DC2.FF8B73A0]
Janet Ingraham Dwyer
Library Consultant
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614-644-6910
jdwyer at library.ohio.gov<mailto:jdwyer at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov<http://library.ohio.gov/>
library.ohio.gov/youth-services<http://library.ohio.gov/youth-services>

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