The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is administered on the state level by the Maryland State Department of Education. It is designed to give children a nutritional boost and draw them into supervised after-school activities that are safe, fun and educational. Snacks served under the program must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional requirements. Programs must offer regularly scheduled educational activities that are structured and supervised. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and offer after-school programs with educational or enrichment activities are eligible to participate.
Reimbursement varies, based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals .