About The Food Program
What is the CACFP?
Good nutrition is important to the health of infants, children, and adults. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide reimbursement to child care providers for nutritious meals served to eligible, non-residential children in child care centers, family dare care homes, homeless shelters, at-risk after-school programs, Head Start and outside-school-hours programs, as well as to provide meals for older adults in adult day care centers.
Ensure all children enrolled in child care centers have access to high-quality nutritious meals!
For many children, the meals and snacks served within the child care setting are their best source of nutrition and a great opportunity for them to learn healthy eating habits. Nutritious meals aid children's cognitive and physical development and contribute to school readiness.
Good nutrition is important to the health of infants, children, and adults. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide reimbursement to child care providers for nutritious meals served to eligible, non-residential children in child care centers, family dare care homes, homeless shelters, at-risk after-school programs, Head Start and outside-school-hours programs, as well as to provide meals for older adults in adult day care centers.
Ensure all children enrolled in child care centers have access to high-quality nutritious meals!
For many children, the meals and snacks served within the child care setting are their best source of nutrition and a great opportunity for them to learn healthy eating habits. Nutritious meals aid children's cognitive and physical development and contribute to school readiness.
Who can participate?
The CACFP serves:
· Children under the age of 13
· Children of migrant workers age 15 and under
· Physically or mentally disabled persons receiving care in a family day care home or child care center where most participants are 18 years old or younger
· Adults who are functionally impaired or over the age of 60 and unable to care for themselves
· Residential children in homeless shelters under the age of 18
· Children up to 18 years old, enrolled in at-risk after-school programs providing education or enrichment activities
The goals of the CACFP are:
· To ensure that well balanced, nutritious meals are served to persons in care
· To promote a wide variety of foods as part of a balanced diet for lifelong nutrition and wellness
· To provide reimbursement for meals served to children or adults in care
The CACFP serves:
· Children under the age of 13
· Children of migrant workers age 15 and under
· Physically or mentally disabled persons receiving care in a family day care home or child care center where most participants are 18 years old or younger
· Adults who are functionally impaired or over the age of 60 and unable to care for themselves
· Residential children in homeless shelters under the age of 18
· Children up to 18 years old, enrolled in at-risk after-school programs providing education or enrichment activities
The goals of the CACFP are:
· To ensure that well balanced, nutritious meals are served to persons in care
· To promote a wide variety of foods as part of a balanced diet for lifelong nutrition and wellness
· To provide reimbursement for meals served to children or adults in care
