The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a vital federal initiative designed to ensure that nutritious meals and snacks are readily available to infants, children, and adults in various care settings. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered at the state level – in California by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) CACFP Branch – this program plays a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of participants by providing reimbursements to care providers for the meals and snacks they serve.
Essentially, the CACFP aims to improve the diets of young children and adults in day care by making it more affordable for care facilities to offer healthy food options. These facilities can include day care centers, family day care homes, and adult day care centers. By offsetting the costs associated with providing nutritious meals and snacks, the CACFP enables these institutions to focus on delivering high-quality care while ensuring that nutritional needs are met.
The program covers a wide range of settings, benefiting diverse populations from infants in child care to older adults in adult day services programs. Through consistent access to healthy food, the CACFP contributes significantly to the overall wellness and development of those under care. For more detailed information on how to apply, available resources, and specific program topics, please explore the links provided.
