Child and Adult Care Food Program
Child Care Centers
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded meal program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children enrolled for care at participating centers.
A variety of public or private nonprofit child care centers and Head Start programs which are licensed or approved to provide day care services participate in CACFP. For-profit centers that serve lower income children may also be eligible to participate.
Our How to Apply webpage outlines complete application instructions for facilities interested in operating the CACFP in Arizona.
Centers operating the CACFP must submit a renewal application annually to continue program participation each program year. Forms and resources available to assist are available on our Renewal Resources webpage.
The Arizona Department of Education conducts Administrative Reviews (ARs) of all sponsoring organizations operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at least once during each three-year review cycle. The objectives of the AR are to:
- Determine whether program requirements are met
- Provide technical assistance
- Secure any needed corrective action
- Assess fiscal action and, when applicable, recover improperly paid funds.
Training
Appeal Procedures
Federal Regulation:
- Code of Federal Regulations:
- 7 CFR Part 226 – Primary regulation governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
- 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal programs.
- 48 CFR Part 31 – Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 31) is the primary regulation governing the acquisition of supplies and services with Federal Funds.
- FNS Instructions:
- FNS 796-2, Revision 4 – Provides guidance to institutions in developing the financial information needed to comply with the requirements of the CACFP.
- Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements:
- 2 CFR Part 225 – Establishes cost principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal governments.
- 2 CFR Part 230 – Established cost principles for non-profit organizations.
General Program Guidance Manuals:
- USDA's Independent Child Care Centers Handbook
- USDA's Serious Deficiency, Suspension, & Appeals for State Agencies & Sponsoring Organizations
- USDA's At-risk Afterschool Care Handbook
- USDA's Creditable Foods Guide
- USDA's Feeding Infants in the CACFP Guide
The upLIFT webpage is created to learn and get inspired on how and what you feed your participants. We hope you share your successes and ideas to teach your colleagues in Arizona. Together, we can influence positive dietary behaviors in children and adults!
Interested in enrolling in a CACFP facility? Please select “Center Directory” to view a directory of facilities currently operating the CACFP in Arizona.
