The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program supports free meals to children and adults in various placements, on an income-determined eligibility. The MSDE-administered program covers many Marylanders in day care facilities, child care homes, and other supportive placements.
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administers the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). As the CACFP state administering agency, MSDE disperses federal funds for licensed or approved day care facilities or family child care homes to provide healthy meals and snacks at no charge to enrolled participants.
All participating facilities and enrolled children and adults should be aware of the eligibility for meals and snacks through the CACFP. The same meals will be available to all participants at no separate charge. Meals are available to all participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
"The Child and Adult Care Food Program contributes to the wellness, and development of young children and adults in Maryland," said Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. "Access to nutritious meals and snacks at participating child care centers and day care homes ensures children and adults are well nourished and ready for learning each day."
The amount of reimbursement the center receives is based on information provided by the household on a CACFP Meal Benefit Application form. If household income is equal to or less than the income listed in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) chart below for household size, the center will receive either the free or reduced-price meal reimbursement for meals and snacks served to participants. Adjustments to the IEGs are mandated by Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and are carried out annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The primary aim of these adjustments is to directly benefit children who are most in need. Adjustments are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Centers with participants who are foster children or members of a household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) assistance, or are Head Start participants, are eligible to receive the free rate of reimbursement for meals served to these participants.
Adult day care centers with participants who are members of SNAP households or who are SSI or Medicaid participants are eligible to receive the free rate of reimbursement for meals served to these participants.
For information about agencies participating in CACFP throughout Maryland, contact the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (OSCNP) at MSDE at (410) 767-0219. Visit www.eatsmartmaryland.org for information about the child nutrition program administered by MSDE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs.
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