Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP)
Provide after school snacks to children participating in structured educational programs. Schools with more than 50% free and reduced students provide the snacks free to any participating student.
Breakfast Program (SBP)
Federally funded program that receives additional financial support in Maine to increase participation and acknowledge the importance of breakfast in improving learning.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)
The program provides a grant to elementary schools that are 50% or greater free and reduced. The funds are used to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to children outside of the school meals, often served as a snack. This program has helped students try new foods and increases their consumption of fruits and vegetables during the day.
Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program provides low-cost or free healthy meals to children. Schools must follow federally established guidelines.
Summer Food Service (SFSP)
The National School Lunch Program provides low-cost or free healthy meals to children. Schools must follow federally established guidelines.
USDA Food Program (FD)
Provides food to schools to help reduce plate cost. The program offers frozen vegetables, grains, meat, canned fruits, and fresh vegetables and fruit.
Special Milk Program
Provides milk to children in schools and nonprofit summer camps who do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program provides reimbursement for the milk they serve to children.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded nutrition program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). The program's purpose is to ensure that nutritious meals and snacks are served to eligible children and adults in qualifying care facilities.
Harvest of the Month
The Harvest of the Month Program promotes seasonal, local foods in school menus by highlighting a different product each month. It provides “ready to go” marketing tools to schools to help increase the purchasing, consumption, awareness and appreciation of Maine grown products.
Child Nutrition Projects
- Equipment Assistance USDA grant to help schools with a free or reduced rate over 50% purchase needed kitchen equipment.
- Healthier School Day Students are getting healthier and more nutritious food in school. Thanks to the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, improvements are being made across the country to transform school food and to promote better nutrition and reduce obesity. Use this link to access the School Day Just got Healthier Campaign.
- Local Foods to Local Schools Across Maine, an increasing number of schools and districts have begun to source more foods locally and to provide complementary educational activities to students that emphasize food, farming, and nutrition.
- Maine Harvest Lunch Week Establishes contacts/relationships with Maine producers to promote local food use in schools, educate students and parents about Maine products.
- Team Nutrition (TN) An initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for food service, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity.
- USDA Food Program Processing Information (NOI)
School Districts have the option of taking USDA Food's raw products and processing them through the net-off invoice program or a fee for service.