Cajon Valley Union School District is expanding its after-school supper program to 18 schools this year, providing an additional meal for students after class, according to ABC 10News.

The district already prepares breakfasts and lunches for students across the East County district from its central kitchen. Shannon McCarthy-Beasley, the district's director of child nutrition, told ABC 10News the expanded supper program is meant to help students make it through the rest of the day with fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

Cajon Valley participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which allows eligible schools to provide free meals to all students regardless of household income. ABC 10News reported that the after-school supper program started at three schools, expanded to 10, reached 13 last year and will now serve 18 schools.

The program matters beyond El Cajon because many Santee and East County families face the same back-to-school pressure: earlier mornings, longer afternoons and higher grocery costs. For working parents, an after-school meal can help bridge the gap between dismissal and dinner at home.

District officials told ABC 10News the goal is to make sure students have access to nutritious food so they can come to school ready to learn.