What is the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?
Last Updated on August 19, 2023 by Lori Pace
Are you handling Child and Adult Care Institutions? And these institutions provide healthy meals and snacks for children, older adults, and people with disabilities? If you are, you can try to apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). However, if you need Food Assistance, visit these institutions under the CACFP.
CACFP reimburses child and adult care institutions and family and group day care homes. They to provide healthy meals and snacks to children and older adults, chronically disabled persons with disabilities, and others.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program’s Objective
Children and adults can receive healthy meals and snacks from child care centres or homes that are part of CACFP as part of their regular care. Cash reimbursement is available for child care centres, adult care centres and daycare homes. However, these places must provide nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults who are eligible.
Day care centres and day homes may be eligible to receive reimbursement for up to two meals per day, and one snack for each child or adult participant. The maximum number of meals emergency shelters can serve per day is three. After School care centres for at-risk children may offer one meal and one snack each day.
CACFP reimburses eligible centres at reduced-price and/or free rates for meals and snacks served to eligible children or adults. All meals are free in daycare homes. Daycare homes provide services to children from low-income areas. Besides, those who meet the eligibility criteria for low income are eligible for higher reimbursement.
Who is eligible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?
- Children and infants up to 12 years old in daycare homes and childcare centres.
- Migrants’ kids are eligible up to age 15.
- Children up to 18 years old are eligible for after school care and emergency shelters.
- Adult daycare is for at least 60 years old who have a physical or mental impairment.
How to Apply For CACFP?
- Call a CACFP Specialist by Phone
- The specialist will conduct a pre-screening questionnaire over the telephone and then follow up with an email request.
- After the specialist has reviewed your information, they will give you access to the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System. Here you can complete and submit an application for your agency.
- Once your application has been received, a specialist will arrange a preapproval visit at your center. The visit also includes training your staff about all program requirements.
The CACFP application process usually takes several months, from the initial submission date to the final determination.
There are many other Emergency Food Assistance Programs (EFAP) that Single Moms can consider!
