To be eligible for participation in the CACFP shelters must provide residential and food services to homeless children and their guardians. It must be a public or private nonprofit institution. A shelter does not need to be licensed to provide day care. However, it must meet all applicable state and local health and safety requirements.
Eligible participants
- Infants through 18 years of age
- Children of migrant workers 15 years of age and under
- Mentally or physically disabled children, regardless of their age
Shelter Responsibilities
To serve meals meeting program requirements, and to maintain required records which include:
- daily attendance/meal count records
- menus
- menu production records
Meal Pattern Requirements
The following food groups must be served to all children. Portion requirements will vary according to childrens’ age:
Breakfast
| Food Group | # of Servings |
| Bread/Grain | 1 |
| Fruit or Vegetable | 1 |
| Milk | 1 |
Lunch or Supper
| Food Group | # of Servings |
| Meat | 1 |
| Bread/Grain | 1 |
| Fruit or Vegetable | 2 |
| Milk | 1 |
Snacks
Food from any two of the four food groups identified under lunch/supper.
Eligible meals
Shelters may be authorized to serve up to a total six meals and snacks, but may only be reimbursed for 3 meals, two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal per child per day.
Feeding Infants
When claiming infants for reimbursement, a special infant meal pattern must be followed. An infant meal count sheet and infant feeding record must be maintained daily.
Reimbursement
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. For emergency shelters, all meals and snacks are reimbursed at the free rate.
Training
At least one staff member responsible for the operation of the CACFP is required to attend two training workshops before an organization can submit an application. The State agency will process and approve complete applications within 30 days. Workshops are held monthly free of charge for new sponsors and/or new personnel. These workshops cover the application process, all recordkeeping requirements, and menu planning for the CACFP.
Nutrition education
Nutrition education resources are made available to organizations through the office of Child Nutrition programs and the Arizona Prevention Resource Center (APRC). Contact APRC at (602) 727-2772 or toll free 1-800-432-2772
If you have any further questions about the Child and Adult Care Food Program please contact:
Arizona Department of Education
Child Nutrition Programs
(602) 542-8700
1-800-352-4558
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is available to all eligible children and adults without regard to race, color, disability, sex, national origin, or sexual orientation. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA related activity should contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.
