CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It reimburses childcare centers, family day care homes, and after-school programs for serving meals and snacks that meet USDA nutritional guidelines. CACFP is one of the largest sources of supplemental revenue for childcare providers, covering breakfast, lunch, supper, and up to three snacks per child per day.

To participate in CACFP, providers must be licensed or approved to provide childcare and must serve meals that meet specific meal pattern requirements. These patterns define the food components (grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, milk) and minimum portion sizes for each age group. Providers submit monthly meal count claims to their sponsoring organization or state agency, which then issues reimbursement payments.

Accurate record-keeping is critical for CACFP compliance. Providers must document daily meal counts by age group, maintain menus that meet meal pattern requirements, and keep attendance records that correspond to claimed meals. Errors in meal counts or incomplete documentation can result in disallowed claims or program disqualification. Many childcare programs use software to automate meal tracking, menu planning, and claim submission to reduce errors and maximize reimbursement.