Program Information
Our Mission
The goal of the CACFP is to improve and maintain the Health and Nutrition status of children and adults in care while promoting the development of good eating habits.
Through agreements with community-based non-profit organizations and eligible for-profit organizations, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement to childcare providers for nutritious meals and snacks served to primarily low-income children in child care settings. Such settings include child care centers, Head Start programs, family child care homes, after-school programs and emergency shelters. Adult Day Care centers that are licensed and provide care to adults in non-residential settings are also reimbursed through this program for the eligible meals they provide. The program is administered by the Family Nutrition Bureau (FNB) and is 100% federally-funded.
Our Goals
- A nutritional, educational and meal reimbursement program helping Child Care facilities provide healthy and nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults. CACFP plays a critical role in creating a more affordable setting for low-income families throughout New Mexico.
- Both of the child nutrition programs administered by FNB (the CACFP and SFSP) also include a strong nutrition education and training component, which is provided by the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) staff within the bureau. The NET Section provides training and technical assistance for SFSP and CACFP program sponsors that helps providers not only meet the minimum standards for participation in the food programs, but also to improve the quality of the meals served to the children in their care. The NET staff serve as a resource for quality nutrition education tools, and provide guidance to child care providers across the state. This Nutrition Education component is unique to New Mexico, and helps teach skills and healthy habits that will last a lifetime – long after the child is out of the day care setting.
CACFP Requirements
Requirements
- Child Care Centers/Pre-Schools shall:
- Be licensed or approved
- Private or public
- For profit or non-profit
- Non-residential
- Head Start Programs shall:
- Be licensed
- Private or public
- Non-residential
- Outside School Hours Programs shall:
- Provide organized child care services outside school services to enrolled children age 12 and under.
- Be public, private or non-residential.
- Be licensed or meet state and local health/safety/sanitation standards.
- May not operate CACFP on weekends.
- For Profit (Proprietary Centers) shall:
- Receive compensation under Title XIX/XX of the Social Security Act for at least 25% of total enrollment or licensed capacity, whichever is less.
- Qualify for at least 25% of total enrollment for free and/or reduced price meals (Child Care Centers only).
What must be included in meals
What must be included in meals:
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Whole Grains, Low/Non-Fat Dairy and Meat or Meat Alternative-Protein (New USDA guidelines).
How many meals are reimbursable:
Two meals and a snack or two snacks and a meal (per day per eligible participant) for Day Care Centers.
What are the reimbursement rates:
Reimbursement rates for meals and/or snacks served to children in attendance are announced annually by USDA based on changes in the Consumer Price Index of the preceding year.
Income Eligibility Form
Please download the Income Eligibility Form.