At the Y, we know that food is fuel for growing bodies and a critical part of development. That's why we are working to ensure that children in our childcare programs and beyond have access to nutritious food. The YMCA of Southeastern NC participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Services Program (SFSP), USDA programs that support our Food Services department through reimbursements and nutrition guidelines.

In Summer 2026, the YMCA of SENC returned to serve even more meals in rural areas through SFSP. We returned to our 7 sites from 2025 and added 2 more of our own sites in Sampson and New Hanover Counties. Through our partnership with the New River YMCA, we were also able to sponsor a very successful location in Onslow County. With 10 distribution sites across 5 different counties (Brunswick, Onslow, Pender, New Hanover, Sampson), the YMCA distributed 127,495 breakfasts and 127,872 lunches.

In Summer 2027, we hope to return to our SUN Meals To-Go sites from last year, as well as adding sites to expand our reach. This program is available for all children and teens ages 18 and under who are not already participating in one of our summer feeding programs or receiving meals through a school program. Children will each receive one box of 7 days of breakfasts and lunches each week until school starts.

Through our participation in the CACFP and SFSP, we are able to provide a nutritious, 5-component super snack (Milk, Meat/Meat Alternative, Vegetable, Fruit, and Whole Grain) at all of our qualifying Afterschool and Summer Camp sites. Watch the video below to learn more about our Y super snacks and the difference a healthy meal can make to a hungry child.

Our YMCA Afterschool Program follows Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards by offering a healthy snack ("Super Snacks") and plenty of indoor and outdoor playtime. We also provide homework help and enrichment activities, including nutrition education.

Our YMCA Summer Camps offer plenty of opportunities for physical activity, enrichment time, and fun! Through SFSP, we are able to offer the kids in our program a 3-component breakfast (Milk, Grain, and Fruit/Vegetable) and our 5-component Super Snack (Milk, Meat/Meat Alternative, Vegetable, Fruit, and Grain) every day at our camps in New Hanover County, Sampson County, and Camp Kirkwood

Our Day Campers at Camp Kirkwood and Sampson County YMCA will also receive a 2-day box of breakfasts and lunches every Friday to assist families over the weekend.

Three of our camp locations (Barlow Vista, Hampstead, and Wesleyan) do not qualify for SFSP-funded food so they will only receive a 2-component snack in the afternoons.

Through CACFP, we serve our super snacks at 17 afterschool care sites in New Hanover and Sampson County. We also serve children when they are not in school during our holiday and intercession camps.

Through SFSP, we serve a 3-component breakfast and a 5-component super snack at 5 of our summer camp locations in New Hanover, Pender, and Sampson County.

Currently, our Y also has 9 afterschool sites and 2 summer camp sites that are not in areas of eligibility, meaning they cannot participate in CACFP or SFSP. These sites receive a daily 2-component snack (any combination of Meat/Meat Alternative, Fruit, Vegetable, and Grain) funded by the YMCA and community donations.

To minimize food waste, we are able to donate leftovers and extra unopened food to local homeless ministries, food banks, or area schools within New Hanover, Brunswick, Sampson, and Pender County, totaling over 27,470 pounds in 2025. This also allows us to educate our afterschool children on the importance of minimizing food waste by providing them with a “share box” instead of a trash can. We use this opportunity to explain to the kids that they are actively making a difference in the community by "sharing" any of their unopened snacks instead of throwing them away.