What is
the CACFP?
The Child
and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program of the Food and
Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The
primary goal of the Child and Adult Care Food Program is to improve the
diet of children 12 years of age or younger. (Older children from
families of migrant workers and certain people with disabilities may
receive CACFP meals under certain conditions).
Proper
nutrition is important to good health and is also an important part of a
successful childcare program. Children need well-balanced meals in order to
meet their daily energy needs and to help them build strong bodies and
minds.
What
will my reimbursement be?
The CACFP
helps ensure children are receiving balanced nutritious meals.
Participating daycare homes and daycare centers are reimbursed for meals
served to children in their care. The maximum reimbursement that can be
received for each child on any day is 2 meals and 1 snack, or 2 snacks
and 1 meal. The rates are as follows:
|
Tier
1 |
Tier
2 |
| Breakfast |
1.17 |
0.43 |
| Lunch/Dinner |
2.18 |
1.31 |
| Snacks |
0.65 |
0.18 |
**Tier 1
and Tier 2 are categories that define the level of reimbursement
providers receive for meals. There are several factors that determine
what tier you will be reimbursed. This information will be discussed
with each provider on an individual basis.
Tax
Information
Providers
on the food program should report reimbursements as income (with the
exception of any money received for your own children) and report ALL
your business food as a business expense.
Meal
Pattern
All
reimbursed meals must follow patterns set by the USDA. There are two
groups of meal patterns. Chart 1 is for children over 1 year of age.
Chart 2 is for infants up to 12 months (patterns vary according to the
infant's age).
Chart 1
Foods for Children (1 year to 12 years)
| Breakfast |
Snack
(select 2) |
Lunch
or Dinner |
| Milk |
Milk |
Milk |
| Juice,
Fruit, or Vegetable |
Meat
or Meat Alternate |
Meat
or Meat Alternate |
| Bread
or Grain |
Juice,
Fruit, or Vegetable |
Vegetables
and/or Fruits |
| |
Bread
or Grain |
Bread
or Grain |
Chart 2
0 Months-3 Months
| Breakfast |
Snack
(select 2) |
Lunch
or Dinner |
| Breast
Milk or Formula |
Breast
Milk or Formula |
Breast
Milk or Formula |
4 Months-7
Months
| Breakfast |
Snack
(select 2) |
Lunch
or Dinner |
| Breast
Milk or Formula |
Breast
Milk or Formula |
Breast
Milk or Formula |
| Infant
Cereal (optional) |
|
Infant
Cereal (optional) |
| |
|
Fruit
and/or vegetable (optional) |
8
Months-12 Months
| Breakfast |
Snack
(select 2) |
Lunch
or Dinner |
| Breast
Milk or Formula |
Breast
Milk, Formula, or Fruit Juice |
Breast
Milk or Formula |
| Infant
Cereal |
Bread
or Crackers (optional) |
Infant
Cereal and/or Meat or Meat Alternate |
| Fruit
and/or Vegetable |
|
Fruit
and/or Vegetable |
The Family
Resource Network, as the sponsoring organization for the CACFP, will
provide all necessary training, paperwork, and technical support to
implement the food program. A staff person will also visit your home to
monitor your food service and provide assistance with implementation of
the CACFP. For additional information or to schedule training, for the
Child and Adult Care Food Program, please call 1-800-354-8238 or
605-688-5730.
Child Nutrition
Programs are offered in accordance with U.S. Department of
Agriculture policy which does not permit discrimination because of race,
color, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Any person who believes
he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity
should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington,
DC, 20250.
