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Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)

Meal Patterns and Crediting

The ASP meal patterns for grades K-12 and preschool (ages 1-5) have different requirements. The ASP preschool meal pattern is the same as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) snack meal pattern for children and has stricter requirements. For a summary of the ASP meal pattern for each grade group, refer to the CSDE's Comparison of Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) Meal Pattern Requirements for Preschool and Grades K-12.

Effective July 1, 2025, the USDA final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, aligns the ASP meal pattern for grades K-12 with the CACFP snack meal pattern requirements, except that the NSLP and SBP weekly juice limit and NSLP and SBP weekly whole grain-rich (WGR) requirement apply. Effective July 1, 2025, the USDA final rule also changes the current product-based limits for yogurt and breakfast cereals in the preschool meal patterns from total sugars to added sugars. For more information, visit the "Upcoming Meal Pattern Changes" section of the CSDE's Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in School Nutrition Programs webpage.


ASP Meal Pattern for Grades K-12  |   ASP Preschool Meal Pattern
Comparison Charts  |   Water Availability During Snack Service


ASP Meal Pattern for Grades K-12

ASP Preschool Meal Pattern

Comparison Charts

Additional Nutrition Standards for Public Schools

In addition to meeting the crediting requirements of the ASP meal patterns, foods and beverages served in afterschool snacks may have additional restrictions depending on the type of school. 

  • All public schools: Beverages available for sale to students as part of and separately from reimbursable afterschool snacks must meet the requirements of the state beverage statute (Section 10-221q of the Connecticut General Statutes). For more information, visit the CSDE's Beverage Requirements webpage. 
  • HFC public schools: If the ASP operates in a public school district that chooses the healthy food option of Healthy Food Certification (HFC) under Section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes, foods served in ASP snacks must meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards (CNS). School food authorities must review all commercial processed products and standardized recipes to determine CNS compliance.
  • Non-HFC public schools, private schools, and residential child care institutions (RCCIs): Must comply with the USDA’s Smart Snacks nutrition standards. These standards do not apply to reimbursable snacks served in the ASP. However, Smart Snacks applies to any foods available for sale to students in an ASP that operates during the school day. The “school day” is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day. For more information, visit the CSDE’s Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards webpage.

Water Availability During Snack Service

The NSLP regulations (7 CFR 210.10(a)(1)(i)) require that schools and institutions must make plain potable water available without restriction to students at no charge during the service of reimbursable meals and afterschool snacks. Potable water is water that is safe for human consumption. “Available without restriction” means that students can freely access the water in the location where the meals and afterschool snacks are served.