Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult d

To assist States, through grants-in-aid and other means, to initiate and maintain nonprofit food service programs for children and elderly or impaired adults enrolled in nonresidential day care facilities, children attending afterschool care programs in low-income areas, and children residing in emergency shelters. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) operates CACFP in partnership with State administering agencies to provide aid to child and adult care sponsoring organizations, centers, and day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons. Funds are also made available to the States for expenses associated with CACFP administration.

The State or U.S. Territory agency applies for and signs an agreement with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to administer the Program and receive Federal funds for disbursement. The State agency enters into an agreement with each institution that has been approved for participation. The agreement is permanent and may be amended as necessary to ensure compliance with all Federal requirements. Institutions must agree to operate a nonprofit food service that is available to all eligible children and adult participants regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. Refer to the USDA Civil Rights page for current information. Currently available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights

Approved institutions providing nonresidential day care services may participate in CACFP. Eligible public and nonprofit private organizations may include day care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, family day care homes, and Head Start programs. Private for-profit centers may also participate if at least 25 percent of the children in care (enrolled or licensed capacity, whichever is less) are eligible for free or reduced price school meals or receive benefits under Title XX of the Social Security Act. Also eligible for participation are nonprofit centers which provide nonresidential adult day care, and private for-profit centers if the center receives compensation under Title XIX of the Social Security Act or Title XX, and at least 25 percent of the adults enrolled in the center receive benefits under Title XIX, Title XX, or a combination of both. Emergency shelters which provide shelter and meals to children experiencing homelessness and at-risk after school care programs in low-income areas are also eligible. Any eligible institution may participate in CACFP upon request with State agency approval.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) makes funds available to States for disbursement to eligible institutions to reimburse their costs in providing meals and snacks to children and adult participants enrolled in nonresidential day care, children attending afterschool care programs, and children residing in emergency shelters. Disbursement is made on the basis of the number of breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and snacks served, using annually adjusted reimbursement rates specified by law. CACFP allows reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack served each day to children through age 12, children of migrant workers through age 15, and persons with disabilities, in child care centers and day care homes. Adult day care centers receive reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack served each day to enrolled adults who are functionally impaired or age 60 and older. In afterschool care programs in low-income areas, reimbursement is available for one snack and one additional meal served each day, during the regular school year, to children and youth through age 18. CACFP also provides reimbursement to emergency shelters for up to three meals served each day to children or young people through age 18. All meals must meet USDA standards to be eligible for reimbursement. Funds are also paid to States and family day-care home sponsors for administrative expenses related to Program staffing and oversight, as well as for audit expenses associated with CACFP administration.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) makes funds available to States for disbursement to eligible institutions to reimburse their costs in providing meals and snacks to children and adult participants enrolled in nonresidential day care, children attending afterschool care programs, and children residing in emergency shelters. Disbursement is made on the basis of the number of breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and snacks served, using annually adjusted reimbursement rates specified by law. CACFP allows reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack served each day to children through age 12, children of migrant workers through age 15, and persons with disabilities, in child care centers and day care homes. Adult day care centers receive reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack served each day to enrolled adults who are functionally impaired or age 60 and older. In afterschool care programs in low-income areas, reimbursement is available for one snack and one additional meal served each day, during the regular school year, to children and youth through age 18. CACFP also provides reimbursement to emergency shelters for up to three meals served each day to children or young people through age 18. All meals must meet USDA standards to be eligible for reimbursement. Funds are also paid to States and family day-care home sponsors for administrative expenses related to Program staffing and oversight, as well as for audit expenses associated with CACFP administration.

Assistance is available for the period covered by the agreement.

All participating states and territories do so via a federal state agreement.

Each State agency enters into a written agreement with FNS for the administration of the Program. An approved child or adult care institution signs a permanent written agreement with the State agency.

The State agency must make a decision within 30 calendar days of receiving a complete application from the institution.

The agreement is permanent and may be amended as necessary to ensure compliance with all Federal requirements.

The administering agency must provide a hearing procedure for local institution grievances.