The CACFP Program
What is the CACFP program?
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for healthful meals and snacks served to children and adults.
Because CACFP participants’ nutritional needs are supported on a daily basis, the program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for families.
Each day, 2.6 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through the childcare program.
Frequent Questions About the CACFP
CACFP facilities in Texas follow the meal patterns established by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Meal Components and quantities can be found on the CACFP meal patterns brochure linked below.
Children aged 13 and under. Migrant children age 15 and younger. Youths through age 18 in the At-Risk Afterschool Program and in emergency shelters. Functionally impaired children through age 18 in child care centers or day care homes. Functionally impaired adult participants or adults age 60 and older enrolled in an adult day care center
The U.S. Department of Agriculture bases CACFP reimbursement on the type of meal provided and the income level of the participants. The meal types are breakfast, lunch/dinner and snacks. Centers have three income categories. These categories are: free, reduced price and paid. Please contact Anita Moreau “Food Program Specialist” for further detail on how these meals are paid and qualification levels.
Many different agencies operate the CACFP, all sharing the common goal of providing nutritious meals and snacks to participants. Child care centers serving meals and snacks to enrolled children. Head Start Programs serving meals and snacks to enrolled children. At-Risk After school care sites providing programming and snacks for low-income school age children and youth. Emergency shelters providing temporary residence and food service to children. Adult day care centers providing structured, comprehensive services to nonresident adults who are functionally impaired and/or 60 years of age or older. Licensed/registered family or group day care homes participating under a TDA-approved sponsoring organization. Anita Moreau “Food Program Specialist” specializes in Day Care Centers, Adult Day Care Centers, Emergency Shelters, and At-Risk Afterschool.
To be eligible to participate in the CACFP a center must meet at least of the following: Be a non-profit entity, or meet the requirements for a for-profit center. For-profit child care centers and Adult Day Care centers are eligible if 25% or more of enrolled participants or 25% of the licensed capacity are low income. At-Risk After School programs are eligible if the school it is zoned to is over 50% low income. Please note, an adult care center must be licensed appropriately for the care of non-residential adults. Emergency shelters and domestic violence shelters must have health and safety inspection certificates issued by Health and Human Services. If you have any questions about participation in this program, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to walk you through the process.