Washington, D.C. public schools have launched an after-school supper program for nearly 10,000 students this school year. The daily menu, which includes 1% white milk for grade levels from kindergarten through high school, was designed to fight childhood hunger, help reduce growing obesity rates and draw more students to after-school programs, according to school officials.

The District implemented a pilot supper program at a few schools last year and, pleased with its response, opted to offer it in most schools this fall. The District joins 13 states that also are authorized to provide after-school suppers through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, which subsidizes each meal. The states are Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

"Including milk in these after-school meals is another way to provide much-needed nutrients to school children," said Ruth Saunders, IDFA vice president of policy and legislative affairs. "It also offers a great opportunity for our members, because after-school meal programs are likely to expand throughout the country once Congress passes the Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

Members with questions may contact Saunders at (202) 220-3553 or rsaunders@idfa.org.