skip to main content skip to main navigation

  • Who can become a sponsor?

    USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers CACFP through grants to States. In most states, the CACFP is administered by the state Department Of Education. In states that do not administer the program, FNS regional offices operate it directly. The Department of Agriculture administers the CACFP in the State of New Jersey. The CACFP provides financial assistance to public and private nonprofit organizations providing licensed or approved nonresidential day care service throughout the country. All private non-profit sponsoring organizations must be federally tax-exempt under 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

    top of page

  • What are the types of feeding locations?

    Organizations participating in the CACFP include, but are not limited to, day care centers and institutions providing day care services for disabled children. Also, private for-profit centers that receive compensation under Title XX of the Social Security Act for at least 25 percent of the participants who are receiving non-residential day care may qualify as eligible day care institutions. Centers can operate in the program either independently or under the auspices of a sponsoring organization. The sponsoring organization must accept final administrative and financial responsibility for centers under its auspices.

    top of page

  • Who is eligible to receive meals?

    In centers, participants from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty are eligible for free meals. Participants in centers with household incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of poverty are eligible for meals at a reduced price. Institutions must determine each enrolled participant’s eligibility for free and reduced price meals served in centers. CACFP serves nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults who attend eligible day care programs. The primary goal of the CACFP is to improve the diet of children 12 years of age or younger. Children 15 and under from families of migrant workers are also eligible, and certain disabled persons with mental or physical handicaps, as defined by the state, enrolled in an institution or a Child Care facility serving a majority of persons 18 years of age and under may participate in CACFP. Sponsoring organizations of Day Care Homes must determine which day care homes are eligible for tier I rates and, if requested, which children are eligible to receive meals reimbursed at tier I rates in tier II day care homes.

    CACFP snacks only are available to children and youths through age 18 in eligible After- school Care programs. Children 12 years of age and younger in residential Emergency Shelters may receive up to three reimbursable meals each day, on weekdays and weekends. The adult component of CACFP is targeted to individuals who remain in the community and reside with family members. Those enrolled adults who are functionally impaired, or aged 60 and older, may participate in CACFP Adult Day Care facilities, which provide structured, comprehensive services to nonresidential. Individuals who reside in institutions are not eligible for CACFP benefits.

    top of page

  • How many meals do participants receive each day?

    The CACFP meal pattern varies according to age and types of meal served. Sponsors may be approved to claim up to two reimbursable meals (breakfast, lunch or supper) and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, to each eligible participant, each day, at a day care home or center.
    Children who reside in homeless shelters may receive up to three reimbursable meals each day. After-school care snacks are available to children through age 18. Adult participants must be functionally impaired or age 60 or older, and enrolled in an adult care center where they may receive up to two meals and one snack, each day.

    top of page