A Child’s Place at Unity House is uniquely dedicated to nurturing the children and families enrolled in its early education program in Troy, New York. Tim Pascucci, CACFP Ambassador and Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Unity House, shares how the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is foundational to the program’s efforts to support the learning, health, and development of the children they serve.
How Does CACFP Help?
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks served to children in eligible childcare and afterschool programs.
“Participation in CACFP significantly reduces food insecurity by ensuring that all children, regardless of family income, receive well-balanced meals in a structured setting,”
Tim shares. This consistency allows children to focus on learning, social interaction, and exploration without the distraction of hunger.
“We provide three meals per day, five days per week, year-round, ensuring children receive consistent, reliable access to nutritious food while in care,” says Tim. “We serve approximately 3000 meals and snacks each week to 200 children, totaling more than 156,000 nutritious meals and snacks annually.” Mealtime also creates opportunities to introduce children to a variety of foods that encourage healthy eating habits and early nutrition education during critical developmental years.
What’s on the Menu?
Support from CACFP helps Tim design a menu that prioritizes balanced nutrition while also incorporating crowd-pleasing options. Kid-favorites like pizza, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, pasta, and meatball sandwiches are thoughtfully prepared and served alongside fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk to ensure meals remain both appealing and nutritionally complete.
Expanding the Reach of CACFP
The Unity House food program extends well beyond its child care centers. Through a vended meal program, Tim’s team supplies CACFP-compliant meals to other local child care providers in the area. Unity House also prepares and delivers all meals for a 24-hour, 48-bed domestic violence shelter, ensuring that vulnerable families have consistent access to safe, nutritious food even during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
By offsetting food and labor costs, the program allows Unity House to sustain high-quality meal services, keep care affordable for families, and reinvest in nutrition, education, and program quality.
“Through this partnership, we are able to operate a comprehensive food program that supports children, families, and the broader community,” he says.
