History:
The Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) provides funding for nutritious meals and snacks to certain children in licensed/approved child care centers, afterschool programs, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and for older adults in adult day care centers.

The US Department of Agriculture administers CACFP at the federal level. In New York State, the Department of Health (DOH) administers the program. DOH approves sponsoring organizations and centers.

Eligibility:
Programs that are eligible to participate in CACFP include: child day care programs, family day care programs, afterschool programs, homeless and domestic violence shelters, adult day care centers, and afterschool care programs. 

DOH distinguishes qualifying care settings into the following two categories: Family Day Care Homes and Center-Based Care.  To learn more about eligibility and if your child care program qualifies to be a CACFP sponsor, please check out the NYS DOH website. 

Benefits:
CACFP provides funds for meals such as breakfast, lunch, and supper. Depending on the type of program and hours of operation, morning, afternoon and late night snacks may be served.

Funding:
CACFP is a federal entitlement program. Reimbursement rates are provided on a per-meal basis to applicants that meet program eligibility criteria. Levels of funding for meals depend on the type of organization or center.

How to Apply:
Organizations and programs may apply at any time of the year. To apply, contact DOH at 1-800-942-3858 or visit www.nyhealth.gov/nutrition for more information. 

For More Information About CACFP:

  • For Afterschool Programs: CACFP's At-Risk Afterschool Supper Program: Qualified afterschool programs in high-need areas can serve snacks and/or suppers to kids.  This meal program operates under CACFP provides children and teenagers age 18 and younger with more than a basic afterschool snack. 
    • FRAC tools and resources, Afterschool Meals Guide (August 2011)
    • NYS DOH brochure
    • FAQ created in collaboration with the New York State Afterschool Network
    • ReCharge! (Action for Healthy Kids): A free kit for incorporating nutrition and physical activity into your afterschool program.
  • For Children and Youth in Homeless, Runaway, and Domestic Violence Shelters: CACFP is an important resource for children living in crisis.  Shelters throughout NYS may use CACFP to bring good nutrition to these children.  Visit the USDA for more information. 

Resources for Existing Sponsors and Providers:

  • Let’s Move in Child Care: Tools for Child and Day Care Centers: From First Lady Michelle Obama, a new effort to work with child and day care providers to help young children get off to a healthy start. 

  • Kids Eat Well (Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program): Online resources for building a healthy afterschool environment. 
  • Expanded Food Stamp Eligibility for Families with Child Care Expenses (Empire Justice Center): Changes in the Food Stamp Program may allow more families with day care and other related costs to qualify for food stamps.  Please help spread the word.

  • Healthy Kids, Healthy NY Afterschool Inititative Toolkit: A guide that addresses nutrition, physical activity, and promoting positive well-being in children. A collaborative resource compiled by a team of representatives from the Governor’s Office, administering agencies, non-profits, and advocates. 

  • Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (NYS DOH): This child obesity prevention initiative aims to increase physical activity, decrease exposure to screen time, boost fruit and vegetable consumption, increase low-fat milk consumption, and promote breastfeeding. 

  • Recipes for Child Care (USDA)

  • Childcare Development Services Cookbook: A collection of recipes from CACFP providers that includes over 450 recipes meeting CACFP nutrition guidelines. $10 from the Childcare Development Services in Portland, OR. 

Sample Materials to Promote CACFP and Nutrition in Child Care/Out-of-School Time Care:

CACFP Related Tools and Research: