Description

	Provides nutritious meals and snacks to participants in day care facilities, such as child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. Also provides meals to children in emergency shelters and snacks (and meals in eligible States) to youth in afterschool programs.
	Reimburses day care centers at free, reduced-price, or paid rates for eligible meals and snacks served to children and adults, based upon the participants’ eligibility under the Income Eligibility Guidelines.
	*  Reimburses family home day care providers based on eligibility for tier I rates (which     target higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or     lower tier II rates.
	Provides USDA Foods or cash-in-lieu of USDA Foods to participating institutions in addition to cash reimbursement.

Background

	CACFP was created as a pilot project in 1968, called the Special Food Service Program for Children.
	The program was permanently established in 1975. In 1987, Congress authorized the addition of adults to the program and, in 1989, changed the name to "CACFP."
	It is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service through grants to States and is typically operated by State educational agencies.

Participants

	Approximately 1.9 billion meals were served to 3.2 million children and adults in FY 2009.
	Individuals enrolled in participating centers from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty guidelines are eligible for free meals; this amount is $28,665 for a family of four from July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010.
	Individuals enrolled in participating centers with household incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of poverty are eligible for reduced-price meals. Reduced-price income eligibility for a family of four is $40,793 from July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010.
	Day care homes may be reimbursed based on location, with homes in needy areas receiving higher rates of reimbursement than homes in non-needy areas.
	Children and youth who reside in emergency shelters or attend afterschool care programs are automatically eligible for free meal benefits.

Budget

$2.5 billion in FY 2009

Contact Information

For complete information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care  or contact your State agency that administers the CACFP. View Agency listings at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm .

Last modified: 11/30/2011