Afterschool Meals
Ensuring that every kid eats three healthy meals a day

Afterschool Meals in North Carolina

The At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program (ARAM) provides reimbursement for nutritious snacks and/or suppers served to children 18 and under who are participating in eligible afterschool programs located in eligible low-income areas. For many kids, this is the only chance to get a healthy meal after the school day ends.

When No Kid Hungry NC started in 2011, only about 3 public school districts were participating in ARAM. The creation of a streamlined application for school districts helped more schools begin the program. During COVID-19 emergency response, the number of participating school districts grew from 18 to 21. 

Almost every public school district in NC has at least one school that qualifies to be a part of the program, leaving more room for growth. Community partners can serve afterschool meals, too, adding even more towns, counties, and districts to the list of those taking advantage of this opportunity to feed more kids.

Like other federal child nutrition programs, ARAM has benefited from USDA waivers expanding its capabilities to better serve the public during the COVID-19 emergency.

 

Get Started

Afterschool meals are a part of the national Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which is administered in our state by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Both schools and community organizations can participate.

School Districts

Those interested in serving afterschool meals in North Carolina should begin on the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) site.

Interested School Food Authorities can also view the school-specific criteria here, and should ask NC DHHS about the streamlined application for schools.

Community Partners

Those interested in serving afterschool meals in North Carolina should begin on the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) site.

Interested Community Partners can also use the USDA Area Eligibility Mapper to check if they are eligible to serve afterschool meals. NOTE: Locations where At-Risk Afterschool Meals can be served must be “area eligible,” based ONLY on school attendance area.

 

Resources