A Program of Catholic Charities of Deleware and Otsego Counties

Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food program (CACFP) reimburses for meals and snacks served to children up to age 13 enrolled in child care homes. The major focus of CACFP is to serve nutritious meals and snacks in child care homes which care mainly for children from low income households. However, all day care home providers meeting eligibility guidelines may take part in CACFP whether or not they care for children from low income households.

What is a Sponsoring Organization?

Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties is the CACFP sponsoring organization for child care homes in Otsego and Schoharie Counties. As the Sponsor, we provide recruitment, technical assistance and nutrition training. We review monthly attendance and menus, monitor child care programs and distribute monthly reimbursement checks.

To Be Eligible to Participate

Your home must be licensed or registered by the local day care licensing authority, or you must be an enrolled legally exempt day care provider to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. You will receive more information on eligibility when you attend the required Introduction to CACFP class.

CACFP Sets a Standard

The CACFP sets nutritional standards for children. Through research, nutritionists have determined what foods are necessary to eat each day in order to get a complete balance of nutrients in their diet. The USDA Minimum Nutritional Requirements are the “bottom line” because they define what we must eat each day to stay healthy. The feeding pattern
for the CACFP meets these requirements. It is therefore a useful guideline for anyone with children, because it sets the
standard for you to evaluate the nutritional quality of your meals.

Why Should I Sign Up For CACFP?

CACFP will reimburse you for the meals and snacks that you provide to children enrolled in your child care program. Your CACFP Sponsoring agency will provide training and support in nutrition, feeding children, and buying and cooking food. Also, you can let parents know that you provide healthy foods that meet CACFP guidelines.

Meal Requirements

The meals served in your child care home must include fluid milk, fruits, vegetables, bread or bread alternatives, and meat or meat alternatives.

Recommended Number of Meals and Snacks

The number of meals and snacks which children need while in care varies depending on the number of hours that they are present. These guidelines may help you decide how many meals and snacks you should serve each day:

  • Less than 4 hours in care ~ 1 snack
  • 4 through 5 hours in care ~ 1 snack and 1meal to supply at least 1/3 of child’s food requirements
  • 6 through 9 hours in care ~ 2 snacks and 1 meal
  • 10 or more hours in care ~ 2 snacks and 2 meals to supply at least 2/3 of the child’s daily food requirement.

Please see the Provider Updates page for important changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which is administered by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties is the sponsoring agency for Otsego and Schoharie Counties child care homes participating in the CACFP.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program is open to all eligible participants regardless of race, color, age, sex, disability or national origin. If you believe you have been treated unfairly in receiving food services because of race, color, age, sex, disability or national origin, immediately write:

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410

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Catholic Charities is a human service agency available to all people. Our services are based on the belief that people have the skills, abilities and strengths to succeed in achieving their goals.