Nutrition USDA

What is the process to apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program for an early learning center?
 
  Initially you will need to contact your states CACFP specialists, from there they will send you the application packet, and supply you with further information and answer questions on the application process.
  New applications must be requested from OSPI, programs that would like to maintain there participation must fill out and submit a yearly renewal packet.
  As part of your application to gain approval for the CACFP program, you must attend a mandatory training on program requirements prior to your approval, also, you must conduct a study month, documenting and logging all attendance and meals for all children everyday for one month, you must also obtain a filled out income eligibility form from each family enrolled and attending your center, your programs reimbursement is based on the income levels of the families served by your center.

What are the requirements the centers must follow after they are approved?

Centers must follow all WAC guidelines as part of their continued eligibility for the CACFP program, they must also meet all USDA nutrition guidelines, following the USDA charts for which foods should  and should not be served, filling out a complete meal chart for every day and every meal, for every child. Centers must also stay up to date on all health and safety practices pertaining to food.

 Directors and Administrators must also attend this training yearly as CACFP program requirement.

Child Care - Annual Training Webinar
Webinar Aug 5, 2015 at 1:00 pm

What is the benefit?

  One major benefit, is to the families impacted by this meal assistance program, the financial stress that is lightened by the CACFP program is substantial. When Centers utilize this program they lighten not just the families burden but also their own, families no longer have to wonder how they will pay for their children's meals at school, they can then focus their attention on other equally important matters, and those centers need not worry about parents who are struggling to make those meal payments, the costs of those meals are now covered. Everyone's stress levels just went down.

Would  I use the food program in my center?

  Yes, I would use the CACFP program in my Center, because while it might be challenging to implement, it is incredibly worthwhile to every member of my center. By utilizing this program, worries are taken from families, they no longer need to choose between feeding their children and the car payment, and the Directors and Administrators no longer need to choose between keeping the center lights on or their own.