CACFP (Child Care Food Program)

What is CACFP?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal nutrition program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides financial assistance to eligible childcare centers, family daycares, afterschool programs, and adult care facilities. The program helps ensure that children and adults in care settings receive nutritious meals and snacks. CACFP aims to improve the quality of care by making sure that participants receive well-balanced meals that meet specific nutrition standards, promoting healthy eating habits and addressing food insecurity in vulnerable populations.

What is Farm to CACFP?

Farm to CACFP refers to initiatives that connect childcare providers who participate in the CACFP with local farms and food producers to serve fresh, seasonal, and locally grown foods in their meal programs. This approach emphasizes sourcing ingredients directly from farms, reducing reliance on processed foods, and introducing children to fresh produce and healthy, nutritious meals. Farm to CACFP initiatives not only improve the quality of food served but also support local economies, educate children about where food comes from, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Difference Between Farm to CACFP and Farm to ECE

While Farm to CACFP and Farm to ECE share a common goal of improving food quality and promoting healthy eating in early childhood settings, there are key differences:

• Farm to CACFP is specifically focused on supporting childcare providers who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This program ensures that meal reimbursement is provided to qualifying providers that serve USDA-approved meals to children. The “farm to” aspect in this context involves sourcing fresh, locally grown foods for meals served under CACFP guidelines, ensuring that the meals meet nutrition standards while also supporting local agriculture.
• Farm to ECE (Early Care and Education), on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses farm-to-table initiatives in any early childhood setting, which could include preschools, daycare centers, and other educational environments. Farm to ECE programs may or may not participate in CACFP but generally focus on providing fresh, locally sourced food, promoting food education, and fostering a connection between young children and local agriculture. Farm to ECE also includes a broader focus on nutrition education and integrating local food systems into the learning environment, whether or not the program is participating in federal reimbursement programs like CACFP.

In summary, Farm to CACFP is a subset of Farm to ECE, with the specific focus on providing healthy meals through the federally funded CACFP program. Both aim to improve children’s nutrition, but Farm to CACFP is more directly tied to USDA guidelines and meal reimbursement, while Farm to ECE takes a more comprehensive approach to integrating local food systems into early childhood education.

Do you want to participate in CACFP?

If you’re interested in participating in CACFP, Quality Care for Children is here to help. As a key resource for early care and education providers in Georgia, QCC offers guidance and support for programs seeking to participate in the program under its sponsorship for child care centers or family child care homes. For more information, visit the website: www.qualitycareforchildren.org/child-care-food-program or call 404-479-4217.