CACFP provides aid  to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes 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.

Through CACFP, more than 3.3 million children and 120,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks each day as part of the day care they receive.

See how CACFP can make a difference in the quality of your program! Whether you are a provider in your home, at a day care center, in an afterschool care program, or in an emergency shelter, you will find many useful resources for serving nutritious meals and snacks.

Spotlights

Tell me about CACFP

Here's an overview of how CACFP fits into the FNS safety net to improve access to food and a healthful diet.

At-risk Afterschool Care Centers

Adult Day Care Centers

Child Care Centers

Day Care Homes

Emergency Shelters

Contact your State agency

CACFP is a federally-funded program administered by States. Contact your State agency to apply, find a day care home sponsor, or locate a facility that participates.

How to manage CACFP

Find all of the basic information you need for participating in CACFP, including legislation, regulations, policy, meal requirements, and reimbursement rates.

Emphasis on integrity

How are we raising Program performance? Look for best practices, locate financial management resources, and read about efforts to reduce paperwork.

Improving Health and Wellness

Learn how provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and the Institute of Medicine's recommendations are helping us build towards an even healthier tomorrow for our children and older adults.

Resources and tools

Are you looking for new ideas for recipes, menu planning, food preparation, or nutrition education? CACFP has resources to help you prepare high quality meals to improve health and nutrition, promote a healthy lifestyle, and reduce overweight.

CACFP