What the Child and Adult Care Food Program does

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimburses providers — child care centers, family child care homes, after-school programs, and adult day care facilities — for serving meals and snacks that meet federal nutrition standards. The program does not give money to families directly. Instead, it pays the facility where your child or a family member spends the day, which lowers the cost of care or allows the provider to serve better meals.

CACFP is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered through your state's department of education or human services. The program covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks depending on the hours the facility operates. Reimbursement rates vary by state and by the income level of the children or adults in the program.

Key Takeaways

  • CACFP pays child care centers, family child care homes, after-school programs, and adult day care facilities directly for meals that meet USDA nutrition standards.
  • Facilities must be licensed or approved by the state and enrolled in the program to receive reimbursement.
  • Reimbursement rates are higher for children from low-income households, so the facility may ask about your household income when you enroll.
  • Your state's department of education or human services administers the program and maintains a list of participating providers in your area.

Who can receive meals through CACFP

Children from birth through age 12 can receive meals through CACFP if they are enrolled in a participating facility. Children in after-school and summer programs can receive meals up to age 18 if the program serves low-income areas. Adults age 60 and older can receive meals through adult day care facilities that participate in the program.

There is no income limit to attend a facility that participates in CACFP. However, facilities receive higher reimbursement rates for meals served to children and adults from households below 130 percent of the federal poverty line, and slightly higher rates for those between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty line. This means facilities have a financial reason to enroll children and adults from lower-income households, but participation is not restricted by income.

How facilities enroll in CACFP

A child care center, family child care home, after-school program, or adult day care facility must first be licensed or approved by the state to operate. The facility then contacts its state CACFP administrator to request enrollment. The state agency verifies that the facility meets USDA requirements, including having a food service plan, keeping records of meals served, and ensuring meals meet nutrition standards.

Once enrolled, the facility submits monthly claims for reimbursement based on the number of meals and snacks served. The state processes these claims and sends payment to the facility. The facility does not bill families for the meals covered by CACFP — the reimbursement is built into the facility's operating budget or used to reduce what families pay.

Nutrition standards CACFP requires

All meals and snacks served through CACFP must meet USDA nutrition standards. These standards specify minimum amounts of protein, grains, vegetables, fruit, and dairy for each meal. Breakfast must include a grain, protein, fruit or vegetable, and milk. Lunch and dinner must include a protein, grain, two vegetables or fruits, and milk. Snacks must include two of the following: grain, protein, vegetable, fruit, or dairy.

Facilities must plan menus in advance and keep records showing what was served. The USDA provides guidance on portion sizes and acceptable foods. Facilities cannot serve foods high in sodium or added sugar, and must accommodate children with food allergies or dietary restrictions documented by a parent or doctor.

Finding a CACFP provider near you

Your state's department of education or human services maintains a list of child care centers, family child care homes, after-school programs, and adult day care facilities that participate in CACFP. You can contact your state agency directly to request this list, or search online for "CACFP providers" plus your state name.

When you contact a facility to enroll your child or family member, ask whether it participates in CACFP. If it does, the facility will explain how meals are included in the program and may ask about your household income to determine the reimbursement rate. Not all facilities participate, so if CACFP participation matters to you, confirm it before enrolling.

How income affects reimbursement rates

CACFP reimbursement rates are set by the USDA and vary by state and meal type. Rates are highest for children and adults from households at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line. For 2024, 130 percent of the poverty line is approximately $35,750 for a family of four, though this amount changes yearly. Rates are lower for children and adults from households between 130 and 185 percent of the poverty line, and lowest for those above 185 percent.

When you enroll your child or family member in a participating facility, the facility may ask you to provide information about household size and income. This information determines which reimbursement rate the facility receives for your child's or family member's meals. You are not required to provide this information, but if you do not, the facility receives the lowest reimbursement rate. Facilities keep this information confidential and use it only to calculate reimbursement.

What happens if a facility closes or stops participating

If a facility you use closes or stops participating in CACFP, your child or family member loses access to CACFP-reimbursed meals at that location. You will need to find another participating provider if you want meals covered by the program. Your state agency can provide an updated list of participating facilities in your area.

If a facility loses its license or is found to violate CACFP rules, the state removes it from the program. The USDA and state agencies conduct unannounced inspections of participating facilities to may support they are serving meals that meet nutrition standards and keeping accurate records. Facilities that repeatedly violate rules may be permanently removed from the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for meals if my child attends a CACFP provider?

No. CACFP reimburses the facility directly for meals served. You do not pay a separate meal fee. However, you may pay tuition or a daily rate to the facility for child care or adult day care services, which is separate from the meal reimbursement.

What if my child has a food allergy or dietary restriction?

CACFP facilities must accommodate documented food allergies and dietary restrictions. When you enroll, tell the facility about any allergies or restrictions and provide written documentation from a doctor if required. The facility will work with you to may support your child receives meals that meet CACFP nutrition standards while avoiding the allergen or restriction.

Can I choose which meals my child receives through CACFP?

No. If your child is enrolled in a CACFP facility, the facility serves meals according to its operating schedule. If the facility operates during breakfast, lunch, and snack times, your child receives all three. You cannot opt out of individual meals or snacks.

How do I learn about a facility participates in CACFP?

Contact your state's department of education or human services and ask for a list of CACFP providers in your area. You can also call the facility directly and ask whether it is enrolled in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Does CACFP cover meals for school-age children during the school year?

CACFP covers meals in after-school programs, summer programs, and before-school programs for school-age children. During the school day, children are covered by the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program instead. CACFP covers care settings, not schools.