Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides federal funds to nonresidential child care and adult care facilities to serve nutritious meals and snacks. The goal is to improve and maintain the health and nutritional status of children and adults in care while promoting the development of good eating habits.

CACFP Eligible programs include:

• Nonresidential, licensed public or private, nonprofit child care centers or family day care homes.
• Head Start, Early Childhood Educational Assistance Program (ECEAP), outside-school-hours programs, emergency shelters, and at-risk centers meeting the CACFP requirements are also eligible.
• Certain adult care centers providing services to persons 60 years or older, or persons 18 years or older that are chronically-impaired or disabled, are also eligible.

Proprietary child care and adult care centers may participate if at least 25 percent of the participants in care are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. 

Programs interested in applying should contact one of the CACFP Specialists.

Tools and Resources for a Successful CACFP Program

• Garden Workshop: Planting the Seeds for a Healthy Future
• Bulletins and Updates
• Claims and Reimbursement Rates
• Program Materials/Forms
• Study Month and Eligibility
• Meal Patterns and Menu Planning
• Required Training
• Training Modules and Materials
• Helpful Links
• Family Day Care Home Providers/Sponsors