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
Utah Education Network (UEN)

CACFP
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

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Basic Training for Centers (In-person)
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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.

Reimbursement Rates

CACFP Reimbursement Rates | Food and Nutrition Service

Food Distribution - Value of USDA Foods

 

Reimbursements for meals served to eligible adults:

  • are made to those institutions that have an agreement with a State agency to operate the ADC component of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),
  • are paid out of program funds made available to the State from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Reimbursements may be paid by the State agencies directly, to independent centers or to sponsoring organizations which then reimburse or use the funds to provide food to sponsored facilities,
  • are based on the number of meals and snacks served to non-residential eligible adults based on the applicable free, reduced price, or paid rate for meals and snacks.

Reimbursement Claims

Claims for reimbursement for this program are due to the Utah State Board of Education monthly using the approved Child Nutrition software system. For monthly due dates, visit USBE's Financial Operations Website, and select Utah Grants to view Utah Grants Reimbursement Schedule.

Submit claims within 60 days after the claimed month.

  • You can amend claims within 60 days or anytime during the fiscal year for fewer meals.

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
Allows you to search for current and archived USDA/FNS published policy memorandums.

 

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