Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Learn how to participate.
Locate data and resources.
...provides funding to serve nutritious meals to children enrolled in child development programs and before and after care programs. CACFP promotes school-readiness by providing nutritious meals - programs may serve up to two meals and one snack per day - that aid children’s cognitive and physical development. Studies show that CACFP meals are nutritionally superior to those served to children in child care settings that don’t participate in the program. The program can also supplement the budgets of low-income families and child development providers.
What’s happening with CACFP in D.C.?
Child Care Wellness Grants, CACFP Nutrition Resources
In 2011, USDA announced Child Care Wellness Grants to 14 states - including Washington, D.C. - for the improvement of health and wellness in child care settings. The District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Wellness and Nutrition Services, will use its $212,614 grant to fund activities that promote nutrition and physical activity in child care that reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the most recent scientific knowledge; provide technical assistance and training to sponsors and providers of child care centers and family and group day care homes; and perform outreach campaigns that increase access to the program in underserved areas and populations.
D.C. Hunger Solutions, in partnership with OSSE, created nutrition resources for child care providers to highlight improved nutrition requirements. These are available in Spanish and English. To download, see the CACFP resource page link in the box above.
D.C. Hunger Solutions can help by:
- giving presentations to your networks about the benefits of and how to participate in CACFP;
- providing outreach materials to inform your network about CACFP;
- assisting you in completing the application to enroll in CACFP.
Help us spread the word:
- Distribute the flyer titled Child Development Centers - Three Steps for Saving Money on your Food Costs. (pdf)
- Read Ending Childhood Hunger in D.C. - Ensure all children enrolled in child development centers and homes have access to high-quality nutritious meals (pdf), which explains how CACFP benefits children, families, child care providers, and the community.
- Visit the Wellness & Nutrition Services Department at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education Web site to learn more about CACFP in D.C.
- Contact us if your organization would be interested in enrolling in CACFP or joining the CACFP Collaborative.
