Policy Memo (134.39 KB)
| DATE: | December 21, 2001 |
| SUBJECT: | Recruiting For-Profit Centers to Participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) |
| TO: | Regional Directors Child Nutrition Programs All Regions |
As you are aware, the fiscal year 2002 Department of Agriculture appropriations legislation (PL 107-76), enacted on Nov. 28, 2001, extended the free and reduced price provision for for-profit centers in the CACFP through Sept. 30, 2002. The intent of this extension was to increase Program benefits offered to low-income children by expanding the eligibility requirements for proprietary centers.
The Committee Reports, which accompanied the appropriations bill, encourage “states (to) conduct outreach to recruit new providers into the CACFP program through the 25 percent free and reduced-price meal eligibility criteria option.” Additionally, the reports encourage states to pool title XX funds to further maximize access to CACFP meals. Consistent with this expression of Congressional interest in making the CACFP available to for-profit centers, we are asking state agencies to work with eligible for-profit centers in their state to ensure their participation in the CACFP, either under the free and reduced price provision or the title XX provision contained in section 17(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the National School Lunch Act. We are also asking states which do not pool their title XX funds to continue to work towards this goal.
STANLEY C. GARNETT
Director
Child Nutrition Division