Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Promoting Nutritious Meals and Snacks in Child Care Centers

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program to support nutritious meals and snacks for children in child care, including child care centers.  To participate in CACFP, 25% of the children in the center must be from low income families.

Try out our calculator to see how your center could benefit if you participate in the food program!  To join the food program, contact the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) today!

CACFP Resources for Child Care Providers

What is MyPlate? It's all about eating healthy!

• VA's Farm - CACFP: healthy eating and supporting local farmers and communities.
• Easy & Healthy Recipes
• The 2 Bite Club- A storybook and Coloring Book

Brief Explanation

Lunch or Dinner

• The reimbursement amount for each child for lunch or dinner is highest ($4.76 per child) for children in families with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line (children are allowed 2 meals per day)

Snacks

• The reimbursement amount for each child for a snack is highest ($1.30 per child) for children in families with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line. Children can have 1 reimbursable snack and 2 meals (or 2 snacks and 1 meal).

Number of Children

• Select the number of children within each income bracket.
• The reimbursement amounts are calculated based on the number of children in your center for whom you provide paid care and who eat meals and snacks each day.  The rate of reimbursement is based on family income.
  

*These food reimbursement rates are in effect for child care centers between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.  Rates are annually adjusted -- the next rate adjustments will be announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2027.

The calculator is an estimate based on the number of children you select and family income, and children who are in attendance to eat lunch and breakfast and a snack daily. Your actual reimbursement will vary based on a child's attendance (e.g., whether or not they are in your center to eat). Therefore, centers are only reimbursed for meals served to children who have attended that day.  In order for centers to receive CACFP reimbursement, 25% of children served must be from low income families (at or below 185% of the federal poverty line).

Sound like something you want to try? Centers have a choice of participating in CACFP through local sponsoring organizations or the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Contact either a local sponsor or VDH today!