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Resource | Research and Data Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS II)

SNACS-II studied child care providers who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This study found that these providers serve healthy meals and snacks to the children in their care. Children have better overall diets on days when they are in child care than on days when they are not.
 

07/08/2025
Resource | Research and Data Child Nutrition Program Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - July 2021 through September 2022

This data collection fulfills states' reporting requirements and describes trends in program participation during the COVID-19 pandemic from July 2021 through September 2022. It is part of an ongoing study series examining child nutrition program operations, repurposed to collect waiver usage and trends in program participation and operations during the pandemic.

03/18/2025
Resource | Research and Data Characteristics of Adult Day Care Centers that Participate in CACFP

Adult day care centers have been eligible to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) since 1987. The objective of this study is to better understand key characteristics of adult day care centers participating in CACFP.

12/03/2024
Data Visualization
Child Nutrition Dashboard

The goal of the dashboard is to provide national and state level visualization of meals served, participation, and funding data for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. The dashboard can be used by federal, state, and local organizations to assess trends in child nutrition program activity.

02/14/2024
Resource | Research and Data | General/Other CACFP Sponsor and Provider Characteristics Study

The CACFP Sponsor and Provider Characteristics Study is focused on the child care component of the CACFP, which provides federal funds for meals and snacks served to children in public or private child care centers, Head Start programs, outside-school-hours care centers, afterschool care programs, emergency shelters, and day care homes. The study also covered centers that participate in the At-Risk Afterschool (At-Risk) component, which provides meals to children and youth through age 18.

08/28/2018
Resource | Research and Data | Nutrition Education Formative Research on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Electronic Media Use in CACFP

This report includes findings from formative research undertaken to help USDA assist child care providers in following the nutrition, physical activity, and electronic media use recommendations outlined in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

03/09/2015
Resource | Research Reports Child Care Assessment Project Final Report

This report summarizes the results of the Child Care Assessment Project (CCAP), which was undertaken by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) during the period 2004-2007.

07/29/2009
Resource | Research and Data CACFP Paperwork Reduction Work Group Final Report

This report provides a summary of the process undertaken and recommendations made by the CACFP Paperwork Reduction Work Group.

02/07/2007
Page updated: September 16, 2025