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 U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) administrated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE).

The CACFP provides reimbursement to qualifying programs serving nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults. All meals and snacks must meet federal nutrition guidelines and be provided to participants at no cost.

What Types of Institutions Can Participate?

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

Family Day Care Homes — Family Day care (family childcare) 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.

• List of 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.

CACFP Eligibility Check: Use this quick check to determine if your organization may be eligible to become a CACFP sponsor.

How Are Meals Reimbursed?

Approved institutions are reimbursed at either the free, reduced, or paid rate for the meals and snacks served, based on the specific participant's eligibility. The participant's qualification of meal reimbursement is either based on household income, or physical location where the program operates (at-risk afterschool and family day care providers, only), or type of program (Head Start centers and emergency shelters only).

• See the Income Eligibility Guidelines for the current individual eligibility qualifications.
• 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 must reach out to a Sponsoring Organization. Please see the current list of Family Day Care Sponsoring Organizations in Massachusetts to see who is sponsoring homes in your area.

All other types of institutions interested in administering the CACFP at their center(s) can learn more information on what is involved, and how to apply by visiting our CACFP New Institution Onboarding page.

Last Updated: August 28, 2025