The Food and Nutrition Program (CACFP)

The CACFP is about nutritious food:

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is about nutritious foods. It helps make it possible for family child-care providers to serve a variety of nutritious foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, high quality protein, fresh dairy products, whole grain and enriched breads and cereals to the children in their care. The Child and Adult Care Food Program allows children to experience a variety of nutritious foods as well as encouraging healthy eating habits while promoting nutritional education for children.

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The CACFP is about learning:

To help you maximize the benefits of this program and to help providers understand quality nutrition, Action for Children offers training in program requirements, nutritious foods, and tips on how to teach children good eating habits. Additionally, we help you plan nutritious meals and snacks and many other useful topics.

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The CACFP is about controlling costs:

The Child and Adult Care Food Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and, in Ohio, is administered by the Department of Education. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a reimbursement program. It reimburses family child-care home providers for as many as two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, per child, per day. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal pattern requirements must be met and all required paperwork must be completed in a timely manner. Rates for reimbursement, which may vary according to a provider’s location, are set by the USDA and change annually in July. Participants are able to keep their child care costs lower because of the reimbursements they receive. Food costs are not passed on to parents, which keeps your fees affordable. For current information about reimbursement rates, please visit the USDA website.

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Who can participate?

There is no cost for participation in this program. Family child care providers who are certified with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties or who are registered with Action for Children are eligible. Also providers who are certified with ODJFS in Crawford, Marion, Morrow, and Richland counties may participate through our partner agency in Child Care Choices in Galion, Ohio.

If you are interested in becoming a part of Action for Children’s Child and Adult Care Food Program, please call us at 614-224-0222 and ask to speak to a specialist or contact us at food@actionforchildren.org. If you live in Marion, Morrow, Crawford or Richland County, please contact Child Care Choices at 1-800-92-CHILD.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

The CACFP is available to all eligible children without regard to 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 Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.