Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a type of

The program’s benefits consist of nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, adult day care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, after-school at-risk programs, family and group day care homes, and homeless and emergency shelters. These centers and shelters can be public and private non-profit centers, proprietary organizations, schools, private homes, and elderly centers, among others, on condition that they all comply with federal, state and local licensing and approval requirements.[2] Through CACFP, children and older adults gain access to "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."^[1]

In 2023, a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition Dietetics noted that CACFP positively impacts the lives of children and families who receive subsidized meals in child care settings.^[4] Specifically, researchers found that children from low income families between 13 and 48 months old who received meals through this initiative were 39% less likely to be categorized as having poor or fair health and 41% less likely to be admitted to the hospital via emergency room.^[5] They were also 30% less likely to have overall household food insecurity compared to children from similar socioeconomic backgrounds who ate meals provided by their caretakers.^[5]

Administration

The USDA's

Actual federal assistance provided to states and their designated agencies are in the form of cash reimbursement for meals served, and any other donation by the USDA to provide such meals. Program funds are provided to states through letters of credit issued under the FNS Agency Financial Management System. The states, in turn, use the funds to reimburse institutions for costs of actual operations (e.g., providing meals), as well as to support state administrative expenses. Generally, a state’s claim to cash reimbursement from the USDA is computed by first determining the number of meals served (by category and type), and multiplying the amount of service by a per-unit payment rate, also known as the “reimbursement rate.” The “type” of meal refers to the kind of meal service for which the institution seeks reimbursement, such as breakfasts, lunches, snacks, supplements, and dinners served. The “category” refers to the type of economic need of the child or adult to whom a meal is served, which can be categorized as “paid,” “reduced price,” or “free” meals.[2]

Child-care, adult day-care, and outside-school-hours centers may charge a single fee to cover tuition, meals, and all other day care services to recoup certain costs; however, the vast majority of these centers operate non-pricing (free) programs. Nevertheless, all institutions must determine the eligibility of children and adults enrolled at these centers (e.g. low-income, mentally or physically disabled, etc.) for free or

• Head Start Program
• Food Stamp Program
• WIC
• Child nutrition programs
• Institute of Child Nutrition
• Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico
• Federal assistance in the United States
• Social programs in the United States
• Child care management software

References

External links

• Child and Adult Care Food Program homepage
• USDA homepage
• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service homepage