The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides a monthly financial subsidy, training and technical assistance, nutrition education, and food safety information to child development centers, adult day care centers, sponsored day care homes, afterschool programs, and emergency shelters serving nutritious meals and snacks to eligible infants, children, and adults. CACFP meals must meet the Federal guidelines. 

Reimbursements are provided to reduce the net cost of serving healthy meals and snacks to children 12 years of age and under in licensed child development centers and sponsored day care homes; children 18 years of age and under in afterschool programs located in eligible areas as well as in emergency shelters for homeless and runaway youth; and functionally impaired adults and adults 60 years and over in licensed adult day care centers.

Learn More about the CACFP

• CACFP 101
• Healthy Tots Act (HTA)
• Public Notification - Child and Adult Care Food Program/Summer Food Service Program
• CACFP Reimbursement Rates

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Visit the USDA website to view the USDA’s nondiscrimination statement.                                                     

How to Apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

• CACFP Application Process

CACFP Program Overview

*Printable CACFP Program Overview

Resources for Current CACFP Participants

• 7 CFR Part 226 – Child and Adult Care Food Program
• CACFP Handbooks
• Claim Submission and Reimbursement
• FNS Instruction 113-1 – Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement
• FNS Instruction 796-2, rev. 4 – Financial Management
• Institution Appeal Rights and Procedures
• Milk Guidance Dietary Need vs. Parent Preference
• Non-Discrimination Statement and Civil Rights Complaints
• Overview of Institution Responsibilities
• Program Management Forms
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• State Agency Memos
• Training Resources
• Viability, Capability, And Accountability

Healthy Menu Planning and Wellness Resources

Resources

• Breastfeeding in the CACFP: Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants in Child Care Centers and Homes
• Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Family Style Dining
• Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based Tool
• Institute of Child Nutrition
• Managing Food Allergies in the CACFP
• Menu Planning Basics: A Guide for CACFP Operators in Child Care
• Nutrition for Early Learners: Meal Requirements and Recommendations for Preschoolers

Serving Meals to Infants (ages 0 – 11 months)

• Infant Meal Pattern Requirements
• Infant Menu Template
• Infant Formula and Food Notification Form
• Medical Substitution Form
• Sample One-Week Infant Menu

Serving Meals to Children (ages 1 – 18)

• Child Meal Pattern Requirements
• Child Menu Meal Planning Template
• Sample One-Week Child Menu
• Medical Substitution Form
• Soy Milk Notification Form

Serving Meals to Adults (ages 18 and older)

• Adult Meal Pattern Requirements
• Adult Medical Substitution Form
• Adult Menu Template
• Sample One-Week Adult Menu
• Soy Milk Notification Form

At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program

• DC Youth Afterschool Meals