The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal nutrition entitlement program that provides subsidies to shelters and day care centers for meals provided to qualifying adults and children. Under the program, homeless and domestic violence shelters may receive a subsidy for meals provided to children living in such facilities. Shelters participating in CACFP also qualify to receive donated agricultural commodities through the federal commodities program or to receive cash-in-lieu of commodities.
To participate, emergency shelters must serve meals in a congregate setting (meals served and eaten in a group setting); serve children who are 18 years old or younger; provide residential services to homeless children and their parents; be a public or private nonprofit organization; and follow state and/or local health and safety codes.
Shelters may receive reimbursement for up to three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) or two meals and one snack (e.g. lunch, dinner and a snack), per child, each day. In addition to reimbursements, shelters may receive donated agricultural commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or cash-in-lieu of commodities, for each lunch or supper provided.
Although a federal program, CACFP is administered in each state by the state's designated CACFP agency, usually located within a state's Department of Education. Shelters wishing to participate may apply through the state CACFP agency.
For additional information see the links below.
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