CACFP Reimbursement Calculator
Estimate your monthly CACFP meal reimbursement using the latest 2025-2026 USDA rates for child care centers and family day care homes.
CACFP Reimbursement Calculator
Estimate your monthly CACFP reimbursement
Center Free rates per meal
Breakfast
$2.46
Lunch
$4.60
Supper
$4.60
Snack
$1.26
Enter the number of meals served per day to see your estimated CACFP reimbursement
What is the CACFP?
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It provides reimbursement to eligible childcare providers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care.
CACFP serves over 4.6 million children each day across the country. Eligible providers include licensed childcare centers, Head Start programs, afterschool programs, family day care homes, and emergency shelters. The program reimburses providers for up to two meals and one snack (or two snacks and one meal) per child per day.
How to use the calculator above
- 1.Select your provider type (Child Care Center or Family Day Care Home)
- 2.Choose your eligibility category (centers: Free/Reduced/Paid) or tier (homes: Tier I/II)
- 3.Enter the number of each meal type you serve per day (breakfast, lunch, supper, snack)
- 4.Adjust your operating days per month (defaults to 22 weekdays)
How CACFP reimbursement rates work
CACFP reimbursement rates are set annually by the USDA and take effect each July 1st. The rate structure differs between child care centers and family day care homes.
Child care center categories
Centers are reimbursed based on the income eligibility of the children they serve. Children qualifying as "Free" (at or below 130% of federal poverty level) receive the highest reimbursement rate, followed by "Reduced-Price" (130-185% FPL), and "Paid" (above 185% FPL).
Family day care home tiers
Day care homes use a two-tier system. Tier I provides higher rates for providers located in low-income areas or whose household income is at or below 185% of FPL. Tier II is the standard rate. Tier II providers can receive Tier I rates for individually income-eligible children.
Meal type
Lunch and supper receive the highest reimbursement, followed by breakfast, then snacks. Each meal must meet USDA meal pattern requirements to qualify for reimbursement.
Annual adjustments
Rates are adjusted annually for inflation. The rates shown in this calculator reflect the July 2025 through June 2026 period.
2025-2026 CACFP reimbursement rates
These are the current USDA CACFP per-meal reimbursement rates effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for the contiguous United States.
Child Care Center rates
Centers are reimbursed per meal based on the income eligibility of each child served.
| Category | Breakfast | Lunch | Supper | Snack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $2.46 | $4.60 | $4.60 | $1.26 |
| Reduced-Price | $2.16 | $4.20 | $4.20 | $0.63 |
| Paid | $0.40 | $0.44 | $0.44 | $0.11 |
Family Day Care Home rates
Day care homes receive reimbursement based on their tier designation (provider location or income).
| Tier | Breakfast | Lunch | Supper | Snack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I | $1.70 | $3.22 | $3.22 | $0.96 |
| Tier II | $0.61 | $1.94 | $1.94 | $0.26 |
Disclaimer
Rates shown are for the contiguous 48 states. Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories have higher reimbursement rates. Actual reimbursement depends on proper meal documentation, meeting USDA meal pattern requirements, and maintaining accurate daily attendance and meal count records. Always verify current rates with your state CACFP administering agency.
Simplify CACFP tracking with Neztio
Stop tracking meal counts on paper. Neztio automatically records meals served, generates CACFP-compliant reports, and helps you maximize your reimbursement with accurate documentation.