Kids Cafe®

Hot Supper Program

Kids Cafe® is a national program of America’s Second Harvest – the Nation’s Food Bank Network.  Through this program, children receive a hot meal, nutrition education and a safe and fun environment after school. NIFB is able to provide food for Kids Cafes® and other After-School Supper Programs through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which is a USDA program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 

NIFB started its first Kids Cafe® in the fall of 2005 at Camaraderie Arts, a Rockford neighborhood resource center in a public housing project. The program was funded by a grant from the ConAgra Feeding Children Better Fund. Since then, four other hot supper sites have been established. Over the 2006-2007 school year NIFB served 26,170 hot suppers to an average of 177 kids a day. Currently, NIFB continues to sponsor Camaraderie Arts plus three additional hot supper sites in Rockford, serving a combined average of 225 children a day.

Who can participate?

NIFB sponsors Kids Cafes® and hot supper sites in low-income areas where 50% or more of the students from the closest elementary school are eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches in the National School Lunch Program. Sites must provide enrichment activities and nutrition education for all kids to participate in during the crucial after school hours.

What kind of meals will sites receive?

Sites receive a daily delivery of hot suppers, which are prepared in the morning by a contracted vendor. All supper menus are approved by the ISBE and follow USDA meal pattern requirements, which includes 8 oz. of milk, 2 oz. of a meat/meat alternative, 2 servings (¾ cup) of juice, fruit or vegetable, and one serving of grain/bread. A typical week from the hot supper menu may look like this:

Do programs have to pay for the meals?

Qualifying after-school programs participate free of charge. The USDA, donations and grants fund this program.

What is required from youth programs? 

Interested programs must complete an enrollment application and attach a copy of their 501(c)3 or tax-exempt letter. Programs not located in public schools must also attach fire and health inspection reports that have no violations. An NIFB representative will then conduct a pre-operational visit to make sure that the facility is capable of participating in the CACFP. All key staff members must attend a training session provided by NIFB. All of this documentation will be submitted to ISBE for approval.

Returning sites must complete a reenrollment application and key staff must attend a returning staff training session. Health and fire inspections must be completed every year, and copies of violation-free inspection reports must be submitted to NIFB. (Sites located in public schools are not required to do this.)

Hot Supper site facilities must be equipped with ovens and three-compartment sinks. Valid food permits from the local health department must be displayed. All staff members who prepare and serve suppers must have food handling and sanitation licenses through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

How will meals get to sites?

The contracted vendor prepares the food in the morning and delivers directly to sites in the afternoon.

How can I help?

NIFB relies on the generosity and talent of its of volunteers and donors.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Kids Cafe®/Hot Supper Program, please check out available positions in your area by clicking here. NIFB is also happy to mail a brochure about volunteer opportunities. Please call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator.

If you would like to donate to the Kids Cafe/Hot Supper Programs please click here.

Further Information

For more information call (630) 443-6910 or email hunger@northernilfoodbank.org, ATTN: Youth Nutrition Coordinator or visit the Youth Nutrition Message Board by clicking here.

For information on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs, visit www.isbe.net/nutrition or call (800) 545-7892.

For information on America’s Second Harvest and the national Kids Café® program, click here.

In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, you must write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800.795.3272 (voice) or 202.720.6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.