Overview
Child Nutrition Programs |
Program Guidance Adult Centers
Program Guidance Child Care | Resources |
Nutrition Education
The CACFP is a federal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children in child care centers, family day care homes, and emergency shelters; and snacks and suppers to children participating in eligible at-risk afterschool care programs. The CACFP also provides meals and snacks to adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers.
- Adult Day Care Centers
- At-risk Afterschool Care
- Child Care Centers
- Emergency Shelters
- Family Day Care Homes
CACFP Meal Pattern Updates
On April 25, 2024, the USDA published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962). This final rule implements gradual updates to the Child Nutrition Programs in several key areas, including the CACFP meal patterns. Some menu planning flexibilities are effective July 1, 2024. Changes to CACFP menus or operations are not required until program year 2025-26 (beginning October 1, 2025).
- Added Sugars (USDA webpage)
- Final Rule: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962):
- Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 DGAs (USDA webpage)
- Summary of Final Rule Updates to the Meal Patterns for the CACFP (CSDE)
- USDA Memo SP 19-2024, CACFP 07-2024, and SFSP 12-2024: Initial Implementation Memorandum: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Effective June 8, 2026, the USDA final rule, Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs, revised the CACFP meal patterns for ages 2 and older and adult participants to allow whole milk and reduced-fat milk in addition to the previously allowed low-fat milk and fat-free milk. Whole milk and reduced-fat milk are not required for ages 2 and older and adult participants. CACFP facilities may choose which types of fluid milk to offer in CACFP menus. For more information, visit the "Milk" section of the CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage.
Nondiscrimination Statements (USDA and CSDE)