Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Overview
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides funds to licensed child and adult care centers, Head Start/Early Start centers, schools and after school meal centers, family or group day care homes as well as emergency/homeless shelters for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons.
For those who already participate, the Healthier Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Award is a recognition system that supports the wellness efforts of child care providers, center staff, and home providers participating in CACFP. Caregivers going above and beyond the Program requirements by taking steps to improve the menus, physical activity, professional development, nutrition and wellness environment and/or infant care can apply for an award in one or more of these categories. Three award levels are offered: Honors, High Honors and Highest Honors.
Healthier CACFP(External Web Content)
Utah Education Network (UEN)
CACFP(External Web Content)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Qualifying and Applying
Institutions that provide child or adult day care, family or group day care homes, Head Start, before-and-after school programs, after-school programs and emergency shelters and are licensed or approved by the state or by Child and Adult Care standards for non-residential care, may qualify to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Please contact the Utah State Board of Education Child Nutrition Program (CNP) for assistance understanding qualification requirements or if you need assistance with the application process.
Training
Training's are designed to introduce new or updated policy, as well as give technical assistance to improve program operation. Training's are free, although there may be costs for meals or additional materials.
Forms
Administrative:
- Automated CACFP Monthly Meal Count Summary
- CACFP Automated Master List Instructions
- CACFP Training Agenda
Meal Record:
- Automated Childcare Menu and Production Record with Example
- Detailed Menu Record: Multiple Meals
- Detailed Menu Record: Multiple Meals Same Day with Planning
- Infant Forms
Resources
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Charts:
Eligibility:
Meal Planning:
- Exhibit A: Grain Requirements for Child Nutrition Programs
- Flow Chart for Determining if Grains/Breads are Whole Grain Rich
Other:
- Child and Adult Care Food Program(External Web Content)
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) - Institute of Child Nutrition(External Web Content)
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS):
Reimbursement Rates
Reimbursement is provided to for-profit and non-profit child care and adult day care centers based on meals served to children at the established free, reduced, and paid rate depending on the eligibility of the child or adult served. Sponsors of Head Start/Early Start, afterschool meal centers, and emergency/homeless shelters are reimbursed at the federally established free rate for meals served to eligible participants.
Reimbursement Rates
July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Reimbursement Claims
Claims are:
- due to the Utah State Board of Education no later than the fifth working day of the month (to receive a payment by the end of that month).
-
must be submitted no later than 60 days from the end of the month being claimed
Once a claim has been submitted:
- you can amend the claim within 60 days of the close of the claim month to be eligible for reimbursement.
Policy
In coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) our office distributes policy memorandums to provide guidance and clarify program requirements and regulations.
Memorandum: New Bulletin Distribution Explanation
A quick tutorial on how our office structures and distributes policy.
Highlighted USDA/FNS Policy Bulletins/Memorandums
The following policy bulletins/memorandums provide urgent or highly requested content:
USDA/FNS Policy Memorandums
FNS Documents and Resources(External Web Content)
Allows you to search for current and archived USDA/FNS published policy memorandums.