The document attached is based on the work of The California Afterschool Network Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee. Through research and discussion they have determined the methods outlined originally outlined by the Afterschool Aliance may provide improved capacity for after school programs in California to address the very real hunger issues facing children and youth in such programs. They also acknowledge that it is possible to increase the role that afterschool can play in addressing the obesity crisis facing our nation and our young people.

A summary of the information and recommendations are as follows (to view the full document, open the attachment below):

Adjust the area eligibility test (for family, child care, afterschool and summer nutrition)
to match the 21st Century Community Learning Centers level.
Expand the Afterschool Supper Program to all states and the District of Columbia.
Feed children in summer, when they are most likely to be hungry.
Allow all meals served through the child nutrition programs to receive the commodities
provided for school lunch.
Streamline the child nutrition programs to enable schools, local government agencies,
and non‐profits to feed children 365 days a year through one seamless child nutrition.
In addition, the following would strengthen afterschool programs’ ability to address obesity and
other wellness issues facing California students:

Require School Wellness policies to include afterschool programs on their school sites.
Fund on an ongoing basis the already established, but unfunded, Team Nutrition
Network and include afterschool and summer learning programs.
Finally, the Network acknowledges the efforts USDA is making to improve the quality of meals
and snacks served through the child nutrition programs, including efforts to make nutrition
standards consistent with U.S. Dietary Guidelines in a timely way and to increase the inclusion
of fresh fruits and vegetables across programs.