Page 28 - AASBO EDGE Back to School 2025

Choosing Between Serving At-Risk Snacks or Suppers

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Food cost is defined as the actual food expense to Another factor to consider in determining whether
prepare and serve each reimbursable meal, which to provide a snack or supper is preparation time.
may include packaging. Portion sizes are required The most significant barrier to serving supper is
to meet the program's meal standards. staffing. Questions to consider: Is there sufficient
Bagley said the common average cost of an at-risk work during the day to warrant maintaining staff
supper is $2.75 and a snack is 70 cents. Federal throughout the dinner shift, and is it feasible for
reimbursement is $4.43 for a supper and $1.21 for staff to begin preparing supper immediately after
a snack, she said. Those figures do not include the lunch service?
the cost of labor but still leave schools with a so-
called profit. Yet another issue to consider about shifting from
snacks to suppers is whether your facility can
The overall financial impact of the reimbursement, accommodate a larger quantity of food safely.
which might change for the new school year, can "Packaging considerations are also essential,"
support labor, equipment and maintenance, plus Bagley said. "As you incorporate more
provide for expansion and sustainability during components, you will require additional
low-participation months, AASBO members were containers and must account for increased waste.
told. Furthermore, consider your preparation space –
do you have sufficient room and equipment to
produce a complete meal?"

You should serve snacks when there is limited
kitchen space or no access to equipment for meal
prep, staffing is minimal and not available after
lunch. If students are going to participate in light
activity, such as readying or getting homework,
she said, "Stick with snacks."

Provide supper if the kitchen has capacity to
prep and store hot or cold meals, the staff can
be retained or incentivized, and if after-school
activities include enrichment, sports, or tutoring.

Bagley strongly recommended: "After supper,
have the janitors clean up. If you leave it for the
teachers the next day, you're looking for trouble."

Adelita Bagley can be reached at:
adelita.bagley@azed.gov

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