What is CACFP?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program which is administered and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service. The purpose of the program is to ensure that eligible children and adults who attend qualifying non-residential care facilities receive nutritious meals.

Why is CACFP important?

USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of child care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. Each day more than 3.2 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP.

Participating Facilities

Participating facilities include:

• Child Care Centers: Licensed or approved public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, and some for-profit centers.
• Family Child Care Homes: Licensed or approved private homes.
• Afterschool Care Programs: Centers in low-income areas provide free snacks to school-age children and youth.
• Homeless Shelters: Emergency shelters provide food services to homeless children.

About the Agency

Child Care Networks, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation. Child Care Networks is a child care resource and referral agency dedicated to the diverse child care needs of our region. Child Care Networks also works with child care providers to provide support, assistance, and valuable child care training resources.

Deborah Cade and Tammy Matthews administer the CACFP to eligible child care centers and family child care homes. Deborah and Tammy organize training, which includes Child Watch Web software at no charge for those who wish to use it. We also help with understanding record keeping requirements, and planning menus, and we will file your monthly reimbursement claim with the state.

How do I get started?

Call us. We will come to your center or home to answer all of your questions.

How Does It Benefit Children?

Children in child care homes and centers that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program will … 

• Receive nutritious meals and snacks in spite of rising food costs.
• Develop good eating habits.
• Learn about nutrition and making good food choices.
• Develop strong bodies, good teeth, and alert minds.
• Have parents who can be assured that their children are receiving nutritious meals and snacks as part of their daily care, without extra expense to them

How Does It Benefit Providers?

Providers who participate in the CACFP will …. 

• Receive free, no obligation, in-home training in menu planning and record-keeping at their convenience before beginning the program.
• Be reimbursed for meals served to all enrolled children in care that meet meal requirements established by USDA.
• Receive annual required CACFP trainings at no charge.

Deborah Cade

(919)542-6644 ext.20

Deborah@ChildCareNetworks.org

Tammy Matthews

(919)542-6644 ext.15

Office Hours

Monday-Friday

8:30am-5:30pm

"In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice and TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."