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 day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in day care facilities. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in the United States.

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.

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.