About Our Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) benefits children, working parents, childcare providers, and the community in general, in the following ways:

FOR THE CHILD:

Receiving proper nutrition during the early years of life means fewer physical and education problems later in life. In addition, these early years are when patterns and habits are established that may determine the quality of one's diet throughout life. Children participating in the CACFP are provided meals that must meet USDA nutrition requirements. These meals not only help the child learn and grow today but also help the child learn eating principles that will help them achieve their fullest potential in the future.

FOR THE PARENTS:

Parents are assured that their child(ren) receive high quality meals at no extra cost to them. In addition, their child, who has the opportunity to eat nutritious, balanced meals, is less likely to experience illness, fatigue, and will develop at a normal physical and intellectual pace and be an all-around happier child.

FOR THE PROVIDER:

Providers can afford to furnish higher quality meals to children, in their care, without straining other program resources, which are important to the provision of quality childcare services. Nutrition education is given to caregivers to help them recognize how to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for children and how to encourage children in the development of positive eating habits.

FOR THE COMMUNITY:

In helping to meet the total nutritional needs of young children in out of home care settings, the CACFP results in significant enrichment and improvement of the quality of childcare provided in our community.