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 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:
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