FCC CACFP Calculator
Promoting Nutritious Meals and Snacks in Child Care
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program to support nutritious meals and snacks for children in child care, including registered family child care homes.
Try out our calculator to see how your registered family child care home could benefit if you participate in the food program! To join the food program, contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency today!
*These food reimbursement rates are in effect for registered family child care providers between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Rates are annually adjusted — the next rate adjustments will be announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2024.
The calculator is an estimate based on the number of children you select and family income, and children who are in attendance to eat breakfast, lunch and a snack daily. Your actual reimbursement will vary based on a child’s attendance (e.g., whether or not they are in your program to eat). Therefore, programs are only reimbursed for meals served to children who have attended that day.
Sound like something you want to try? Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (CCR&R). Ask us how to sign up for the food program! We will help you!
CACFP Monitoring & Oversight
- Family Day Care Home Monitoring Handbook
- USDA COVID-19 Nationwide Onsite Monitoring Waiver (August 4, 2020)
- National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) Remote Inspections in Child Care Settings: A Viable Alternative During Emergency Situations (July 2020)
Brief Explanation
Registered family child care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are reimbursed for nutritious meals and snacks based on rates set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rates are adjusted annually in July.
Reimbursement rates are higher for food served to children in families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level compared to children in families with income above 185% of the federal poverty level.
Consult with your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency about the U.S.D.A. tiered reimbursement system and how you can maximize income for your program. CCR&R staff can walk you through each step along the way!
Breakfast Rate
- Tier I reimbursement for each child for breakfast is $1.65. Tier II reimbursement for each child is 59 cents.
Lunch or Dinner
- Tier I reimbursement for each child for lunch or dinner is $3.12 (children are allowed 2 meals per day). Tier II reimbursement is $1.88 per child.
Snacks
- Tier I reimbursement for each child for a snack is 93 cents. Tier II reimbursement is 25 cents per child. Children can have 1 reimbursable snack and 2 meals (or 2 snacks and 1 meal).
- The reimbursement amounts are calculated based on the number of children in your home for whom you provide paid care and who eat meals and snacks each day (your own children are excluded).
CACFP Resources for Child Care Providers
While CACFP reimbursement is revenue to a family child care provider’s program, food expenses are also deductible as a cost related to operating your home business. Often the deduction can exceed CACFP reimbursement. Learn more here.
- Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (interactive web tool)
- Food Buying Guide: Webinar on using the interactive web tool
- Food Buying Guide: Mobile App
- Webinar: The Food Buying Guide Calculator
- CREDITING HANDBOOK FOR THE Child and Adult Care Food Program
- Food Buying Guides for CACFP
- New Jersey Department of Agriculture, CACFP Resources
What is MyPlate? It’s all about eating healthy!
- New Jersey’s Locally Grown and Produced Foods — healthy eating and supporting local farmers and communities.
- Easy & Healthy Recipes
- The 2 Bite Club- A storybook and Coloring Book
