The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded initiative that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in care settings. It supports childcare centers, family day care homes, afterschool programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care facilities, helping to improve food access for vulnerable populations. For nonprofits addressing food insecurity, CACFP strengthens meal programs, reduces food costs, and ensures compliance with federal nutrition guidelines.
To receive CACFP reimbursements, organizations must meet specific guidelines:
- Eligibility: Participants must serve meals to eligible children under 13 (or 18 for afterschool programs), adults in care settings, and emergency shelter residents under 18.
- Meal Patterns: Meals must meet USDA nutritional standards, including appropriate portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy, with a limit of two meals and one snack per participant per day.
- Record-Keeping: Organizations must track daily meal counts, menus, attendance, income eligibility, and submit monthly claims. The National CACFP Association provides templates to assist with compliance.
- Site Monitoring: State agencies or sponsors conduct periodic reviews to ensure meal service, food safety, and accurate record-keeping.
- Claim Submission: Organizations must submit monthly claims by state deadlines to receive reimbursements based on meal counts and participant eligibility.
Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC) provides expert support to help organizations navigate CACFP compliance. From implementing financial policies and procedures to ensuring proper expense tracking and alignment with CACFP regulations, YPTC helps organizations remain audit-ready and avoid compliance issues. Our team can also recommend and implement accounting or meal-tracking software, as well as train staff on best practices for documentation. By partnering with YPTC, CACFP participants can maximize funding, streamline operations, and maintain program sustainability.
