What is CACFP?

CACFP is the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a Federal program that provides healthy meals and snacks to children and adults receiving day care. It plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families.
CACFP reimburses participating day care homes for their meal costs. It is administered at the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service, and agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The State education or health department administers CACFP, in most States. Independent centers and sponsoring organizations enter into agreements with their State agencies to operate the program.

How does the food program help children and family child care providers?

• Children receive nutritious meals that meet the CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements.
• Family child care providers receive valuable meal reimbursement money to help with their meal costs.
• Family child care providers receive nutrition education and support services to help them teach the children about healthy eating habits.

        What are the benefits for parents?

• Parents are assured that their children are served nutritious meals and snacks.
• Their children’s provider receives training to assist her/him in providing nutritious meals and maintaining a healthy and safe environment.
• The sponsoring organization (Day Care Connection) reviews meals and snack plans monthly and visits provider’s home several times a year.

  Who gets CACFP meals and snacks?

Child care centers and family child care homes can be reimbursed for 2 meals and 1 snack per child per day. The meals must include the following components to qualify for reimbursement:

Breakfast: Milk, fruit or vegetable or 100% juice, bread or cereal.

Lunch or supper: Milk, meat or meat alternate, fruit or vegetable (2 servings), bread or alternate.

Snack: Serve at least 2 of the 4 components: Milk, meat or alternate, fruit or vegetable, bread or alternate.

How much reimbursement does the government provide?

Higher payments (tier I) are paid to homes in low-income areas and to low-income providers. Meals and snacks served to children who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals also receive higher rates of reimbursement. As of July 1, 2000, the rates in most states are: