New After School Program Helps Provide Nutritious Meals for Students

As the children go through the line to grab their meals (the menu being homemade pepperoni pizza, oranges, salad and milk), one little boy says, “I love your cooking!  You have the best food.”

This child is receiving meals through the after-school meals program CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program). The program is sponsored by Feeding San Diego and distributed through the Vista Community Clinic’s (VCC) Project REACH.

Two new sites in Oceanside have opened January: Libby Lake Community Center and Balderrama Recreation Center. Since opening, these two locations have been able to distribute nearly 800 meals to children and youth ages 5-14.

The menu changes daily, but always consists of: a main course, fruit, vegetables, and milk. The program aims to serve children a healthy and well-balanced meal that may not be guaranteed at home.

While providing nutritious meals for participating children and youth, the service also ensures regular attendance at these programs where participants learn life and leadership skills as well as receive academic support and prevention education.  These programs can range from homework help to gang/drug prevention, depending on the site. The goal of the after-school enrichment programs is to help the children grow through proper nutrition and guidance.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with VCC’s Project REACH in our effort to couple nutrition and education. To learn more about CACFP and child hunger in San Diego, visit our Feeding Kids webpage.