Child Adult Care Food Program (CAFCP)

The New York State Health Department's CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) pays for meals and snacks served to children up to age 13 enrolled in family day care homes. The major focus of CACFP is to serve nutritious meals and snacks in day care homes which care mainly for children from low income households. However, all day care home providers meeting eligibility guidelines may take part in CACFP whether or not they care for children from low income households.

Parent Benefits

• Parents don't have to deal with the cost and the time involved with preparing meals for their children in Day Care.

• CACFP helps encourage children to eat better, because of the healthy foods that have to be served.

Provider Benefits

• CACFP will pay you for the meals and snacks that you provide to children enrolled in your child care program.

• Your CACFP Sponsoring agency will provide training and support in nutrition, feeding children, and buying and cooking food.

• Your own children may be claimed if you household is low income.

• You can let parents know that you provide healthy foods that meet CACFP guidelines

Nutrition Information

Mealtime Memos

January 2010