Nutrition

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• Child Nutrition Programs

  Information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child Nutrition Programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Special Milk Program (SMP), and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP.

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's FFVP provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.

• Food Distribution Program (USDA Foods)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Distribution Program coordinates the distribution of USDA Foods to many of the public and private schools that provide meals to students through the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

• List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages

  A brand-specific list of commercially prepared food products that comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards and beverages that comply with the beverage requirements of Section 10-221q of the Connecticut General Statutes.

• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's SFSP provides nutritious meals for children ages 18 and younger when schools end for the summer.

• Healthy Food Certification (HFC)

  Healthy Food Certification (Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes) requires that each board of education or governing authority for all public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must certify annually to the Connecticut State Department of Education whether the district will follow the Connecticut Nutrition Standards for all foods sold to students separately from reimbursable school meals.

• Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's SSO combines features of the NSLP, SBP, and SFSP to reduce paperwork and administrative burden, making it easier for schools to feed children from low-income areas during the traditional summer vacation periods.

• Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's ASP operates under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). It provides cash reimbursement to help schools serve nutritious snacks to children in afterschool activities aimed at promoting the health and well-being of children and youth in Connecticut’s communities.

• School Breakfast Program (SBP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's SBP provides nutritious breakfasts to students in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions.

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's NSLP provides nutritious lunches to students in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions.

• Area Eligibility for Child Nutrition Programs

  Information on schools with at least 50 percent of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school nutrition programs.

• CACFP Child Care Centers

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's CACFP in private nonresidential licensed child care centers (including emergency shelters and at-risk afterschool care programs) provides cash assistance for nutritious meals and snacks served to infants and children.

• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children in child care centers, family day care homes, and emergency shelters; nutritious snacks and suppers to children participating in eligible at-risk afterschool care programs; and nutritious meals and snacks to adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers.

• CACFP At-risk Afterschool Care Centers

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's CACFP in at-risk afterschool care centers provides cash assistance for nutritious snacks and meals served at no charge to students ages 18 and younger in afterschool programs.

• CACFP Adult Day Care Centers

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's CACFP in public or private nonresidential day care centers provides cash assistance for nutritious meals and snacks served to adults who are at least 60 years of age, or functionally impaired adults of any age who reside in the community.