Child and Adult Care Food Program

What is the Child and Adult Care Food Program?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally-funded program from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) administers the CACFP. The CACFP provides supplemental reimbursement to participating organizations for the provision of nutritious foods. All meals and snacks served must meet federal guidelines and be offered at no separate cost to participants.

What Types of Institutions Can Participate?

Child Care Centers — Includes licensed or approved non-residential, public or private non-profit child care centers, Head Start centers, settlement houses, and neighborhood centers. For-profit child care centers may also participate if they meet certain criteria for serving low-income children.

Family Day Care Homes — Family day care homes provide care in a licensed or approved private home for a small group of children. Family or group day care homes must be administered by a sponsoring organization that maintains Federal and State regulations and prepares a monthly food reimbursement claim.

• Contact list for current Family Day Care Sponsoring Organizations in Massachusetts

"At-Risk" After School Care Programs — Community based programs that offer enrichment activities for children and teenagers through the age of 18, after the regular school day ends. Programs must be offered in areas where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals based upon the school data.

• Fiscal Year 2025 Massachusetts Schools with 50% of Student Enrollment Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals in Child Nutrition Programs

Emergency Shelters — Programs which provide residential and food services to homeless children may receive reimbursement for serving up to three meals each day to homeless children through age 18, who reside there.

Adult Day Health Care Centers — Licensed day health care centers for seniors (aged 60 or older) or functionally impaired adults may receive reimbursements under the adult component of the CACFP. For-profit agencies are also eligible if they meet certain criteria for serving low-income people.

How Are Meals Reimbursed?

Approved institutions are reimbursed at either the free, reduced, or paid rate for the meals and snacks served to eligible participants. The rate of meal reimbursement is either based on household income of participants or physical location where the program operates (at-risk afterschool and family day care providers, only). When considering household income, see current Income Eligibility Guidelines for the most current data. Please note: Family day care homes are reimbursed through a mechanism that is processed and managed by the sponsoring organization.

For specific reimbursement rates by meal type, see the USDA notice .

For more information on the CACFP, please contact a member of the Community Nutrition Programs Team.

How Can an Organization Get Involved?

• Family Day Care providers who are interested in participating in the CACFP may do so though an existing Sponsoring Organization. Please see the current list of Family Day Care Sponsoring Organizations in Massachusetts to see who is sponsoring homes in your area.
• Institutions that are interested in administering the CACFP must first review program-specific guidance and complete a preliminary training prior to submitting a new sponsor interest form. Please see the CACFP New Institution Onboarding page for resources and additional guidance.

Last Updated: April 15, 2025