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 a few States) to youth in after school programs.
	Pays all or part of the cost for nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in day care facilities.
	Reimburses care providers 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 or location of the day care home.
	Donates agricultural commodities or cash-in-lieu of commodities 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 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 1.8 billion meals were served to 3.1 million children and adults (average daily attendance) in FY 2006.
	Individuals enrolled in participating centers from households with incomes at or below 130% of poverty guidelines are eligible for free meals; in 2006, this amount was $26,845 for a family of four from July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008.
	Those enrolled in participating centers with household incomes between 130% and 185% of poverty are eligible for reduced-price meals. Reduced-price income eligibility for a family of four was $38,203 from July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008. 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.
	Institutions (centers or sponsoring organizations of centers and day care homes) determine eligibility of participating adults and children for free and reduced-price meals.

Budget

$2.1 billion in FY 2006 and FY 2007 (est.)

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, select “Contact Us,” then “CACFP.”

Last modified: October 2007