Child & Adult Care Food Program

WHAT IS THE CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM?

CACFP, or the food program, is a program of the Department of Education, allowing licensed or certified legally licensed exempt homes and registered child care programs to be reimbursed for a portion of their food costs. Licensed or certified legally licensed exempt family child care homes, licensed child care centers, and registered ministries are eligible to enroll in the food program.  For sponsor information click here.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ENROLLING IN THE FOOD PROGRAM?

For the children:

• eating nutritious meals and snacks to help them develop strong bodies, good teeth, and alert minds
• learning good eating habits which can last a lifetime

For Parents:

• knowing that a significant part of their children's nutritional needs are being met while at child care each day
• knowing that your child care provider is 
• being monitored during mealtime three times a year

For the providers:

• menu planning ideas
• nutrition education ideas for you and your child care children
• reimbursement for the nutritious meals you serve to your child care children

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Family child care providers must:
• be licensed by the State of Indiana through your local Office of Family and Children or be a certified legally licensed exempt provider through The Consultants Consortium
• serve meals and snacks which meet the CACFP requirements, set by the USDA and the State of Indiana
• keep records of the food you serve and the children to whom you serve it

Family child care providers will:

• receive six (6) annual continuing education hours, including the following mandatory topics: record keeping, sanitation and food safety, nutrition education, and menu planning
• be reimbursed monthly for the meals and snacks which meet CACFP requirements

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all USDA programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.” To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14 th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 or (888) 271-5983 Extension 516 (toll free). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

It is the policy of the Indiana Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, in its programs, activities, or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Law (I.C. 22-9-1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USCS §12101, et. seq.).

Inquiries regarding compliance by the Indiana Department of Education with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Human Resources Director, Indiana Department of Education, Room 229, State House, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2798, or by telephone to 317-232-6610, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 1053, Chicago, IL 60606-7204 — Dr. Suellen Reed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.