Page 26 - AASBO EDGE Back to School 2025

CHILD NUTRITION

BY DON HARRIS
Choosing Between Serving At-Risk

Snacks or Suppers
Adelita Bagley
AASBO members employed at school districts when serving snacks. Net revenue serves as a
that are eligible to serve at-risk meals received straightforward measure of the funds available to
a helping of inside information on how to make support program operations once the cost of food
that federally funded program work. has been covered.

The term at-risk meals, under the Child and By evaluating which option generates higher net
Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), refer to revenue, AASBO members can determine the best
meals and snacks provided to children in after- approach to sustain and enhance their financial
school programs located in low-income areas position, Bagley said.
and while their parents are still at work. These
programs are designed to offer free meals and "Schools are expected to balance academic
snacks to children to age 18 who might otherwise outcomes, student well-being, and fiscal
go without nutrition during out-of-school time, responsibility.," Bagley said. "It's really hard to
including weekends and school holidays. make both meet in the middle. We encourage you
to optimize your program financially. Get more
In a breakout session at the AASBO Summer bang for your buck."
Conference in Tucson, Adelita Bagley, a member
of the Training, Communications, and Nutrition Programs that provide more money enable schools
Promotion Team at the Arizona Department to hire more people and replace outdated kitchen
of Education, pointed out that schools that equipment.
participate in the program are reimbursed by the
federal government. "Analyzing how meal programs are
structured is not just about feeding
The program is considered ideal for after-school
athletic programs, including cheerleading, Bagley kids," – Adelita Bagley
said. She emphasized that to qualify for at-risk
meals, the after-school activity must be available "It's a strategic financial decision that can sustain
to all students, but all students don't have to staffing and operations, enhance program stability
participate in it. and last – but certainly not the least – you get to
serve more students."
Another key requirement is that the school
must be located in an attendance area where at Bagley suggested that schools should consider
least 50% of the children are eligible for free or transitioning from snacks to suppers, adding:
reduced-price meals. AASBO members should "Start thinking – what can I do to triple this
compare net revenue when serving supper versus money?"

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