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Easterseals Southern California
A group of kiddos sitting at a lunch table with smiles and eager to eat.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program

Easterseals Southern California Child Development Services is a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

What is the CACFP? 

The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides reimbursement to programs for meals and snacks served to children at childcare centers, family day care homes, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and to older or functionally impaired adults at non-residential adult day and adult day health care centers. More than 4.2 million children and 138,000 adults receive daily nutritious meals and snacks through the CACFP. In California, the CACFP is administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

What kinds of meals must be served? 

CACFP meals follow USDA nutrition standards based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 

  • Breakfast consists of milk, fruits or vegetables, meat/meat alternates, and grains. 
  • Lunch requires milk, grains, meat or other proteins, fruits, and vegetables. 
  • Snacks include two different servings from the five components: milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, or meat or other proteins.

What are some benefits of participating in the CACFP? 

CACFP sponsors must follow USDA and State non-discrimination practices that help protect services for all eligible participants. Participants who attend centers that operate the CACFP will receive nutritious meals and snacks, with accommodation for special dietary needs or personal preferences. The CACFP also supports infant feeding at childcare centers, which includes breastfeeding.  All meals are provided free of charge to children enrolled in Easterseals Child Development Centers.

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