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Resource | Policy Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

The purpose of this memorandum is to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any USDA Child Nutrition Program, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program for Children , Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Seamless Summer Option , of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in program meals.

05/06/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach RFI Webinar: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs

This webinar provides an overview of the Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs. This webinar recording is captioned in English.

01/28/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach Request for Information Webinar: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects

This webinar provides an overview of the Tribal Pilot Projects Request for Information. This webinar recording is captioned in English.

01/28/2025
Basic page FY 2024 Team Nutrition Training Grants for Meal Pattern Modernization and Retention and Mentorship Opportunities

Grant recipients just announced! Over $8.6 million awarded to eleven state agencies. 

09/17/2024
Resource | Federal Register Notices CACFP: Payment Rates and Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. 

07/10/2024
Resource | Federal Register Notices Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

07/09/2024
Basic page CACFP Reimbursement Rates

Rates are adjusted annually each July, as required by the statutes and regulations governing CACFP.

07/07/2023
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings in USDA’s CACFP

Centers and family daycare homes participating in CACFP play an important role in supporting the health and wellness of the children they serve. The Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings  is the first nationally representative, comprehensive assessment of the CACFP. Data were collected in program year 2016–17 from CACFP providers and participating children on nutritional quality of meals served, nutrient intake of participating children, meal costs and revenues, and more. Findings serve as an important baseline for the subsequent updates to the meal pattern and nutrition standards, which were implemented in October 2017. 

10/25/2021
Resource | Training and Outreach CACFP Meal Service Training Grants

To assist states and CACFP operators with implementation of the updated CACFP meal patterns, Congress appropriated funds for the provision of noncompetitive grants for states to provide hands-on training and technical assistance. These meal service training grants will assist state agencies in providing job skills training for CACFP operators on ways to plan and prepare and serve nutritious foods.

04/19/2018
Resource | Guidance Documents Clarifications: Funding Levels for FY 2018 CACFP Audit Fund Allocation

This memo provides clarification of the procedures for state agencies requesting additional fiscal year  2018 Child and Adult Care Food Program Audit funding.

09/20/2017
Page updated: October 14, 2021