Cool Kids CCEN
The only Child Care Center,Training, and Nutrition site you need!
Mealtimes have you singing the blues?
Joining Cool Kids Food Program will be music to your ears!
Food Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CACFP?
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a governmental nutrition program designed to ensure that children in day care homes and centers receive good, healthy food each day.
The CACFP reimburses licensed day care centers, licensed and registered day care providers for a portion of the meals and snacks they serve each day. The CACFP is a federally funded program operated through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
In Texas, the program is administered through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). TDA uses non-profit organizations called "Sponsors" to work directly with day care providers and centers.
Is it worth my time?
By feeding children according to USDA standards, participating providers are eligible to receive a monthly reimbursement to assist in covering the expenses of the day care food cost.
Good nutrition pays!
Day Care Homes
In 1997, Congress created two different meal reimbursement rate levels called Tier I and Tier II for day care homes. This was done to ensure that appropriate funds were available for those providers and children in most need of the program. A licensed or registered day care home must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization to participate in the CACFP. Day care homes must be licensed or registered by the State of Texas. Reimbursement for meals served in day care homes is based upon eligibility for Tier I rates (which targets higher levels of reimbursement to low-income areas, providers, or children) or lower Tier II rates.
Day Care Centers
Day care centers may participate in the CACFP on their own but many have found that having a sponsor such as us alleviates the burdensome paperwork. Day care centers must be licensed to participate. Reimbursement for meals are based on a blended rate with at least 25% of the children on free or reduced meals depending on household income if you are a For-Profit Center. Non-Profit Centers automatically qualify for reimbursement but are still paid based on a blended rate of children on free or reduced meals.