CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

Adults’ & Children’s Alliance is a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Minnesota.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the Child and Adult Care Food Program?

    The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program designed to improve the diets of children and adults in day care. It is an extension of the School Lunch Act. Each day, 4.2 million children and 130,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The CACFP provides nutrition training and meal reimbursement to licensed child care providers. In Minnesota, the CACFP is administrated by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and a nonprofit sponsoring organization like ACA.

  • How do I apply to participate on the CACFP?

    By contacting ACA and setting up your orientation visit, you (the childcare provider) have already taken the first step. At the end of your orientation visit, you will be given the opportunity to complete an application and agreement for the CACFP. Your ACA Food Program Advisor will help you complete the paperwork. ACA will submit your application to MDE.

  • When will I be able to begin claiming children's meals for reimbursement?

    You may begin claiming meals for reimbursement once your CACFP application and agreement have been approved by MDE. Generally, your approval date will be the day of your CACFP orientation visit or the day your child care license is effective, whichever is later.

  • What are my options for keeping CACFP records?

    ACA offers computer options and one paper option for recordkeeping:

      KidKare
    • Minute Menu scannable forms.
    Your Program Advisor will explain each option to you on your orientation visit. This time-saving and easy-to-use software programs will help you manage your require CACFP records and is free of charge to providers with our sponsorship. ACA also offers an easy-to-use paper record keeping system.

  • What is the time commitment?

    • ACA brings your Food Program training into your home. No need to attend outside CACFP classes or workshops.

    • Direct Deposit Option – no need to take time out of your day to cash your CACFP reimbursement check.

    • You can reach us by phone, fax or e-mail, whichever is most convenient to you.

  • How do I enroll?

    If you are a licensed family childcare provider in Minnesota, or are in the process of becoming a licensed childcare provider in Minnesota and would like to sign up for the CACFP, call 651-481-9320 (metro area) or 1-800-433-8108 (outside metro area). You can also e-mail us at [email protected]. An ACA Food Program Advisor assigned to your area will call you to set up a meeting and to go over CACFP regulations with you. Generally these meetings take 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Tiering

The United States Congress has established two levels of CACFP reimbursement: Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Tier 1 reimbursement provides a higher rate of meal reimbursement than does Tier 2. Providers may be reimbursed at Tier 1 rates, Tier 2 rates or a combination of both.

Current Reimbursement Rates as of 7/1/2024 through 6/30/2025
Tier 1 Rates
Breakfast
$1.66
Lunch/Supper
$3.15
Snack
$0.93
Tier 2 Rates
Breakfast
$0.60
Lunch/Supper
$1.90
Snack
$0.26
Tiering Qualifications

You may qualify for Tier 1 rates based on:
  • Area Eligibility (school or census)
  • Income (Provider or parent)
  • Categorically Eligible (see below for qualifying programs)
You or your day care families may qualify for Tier 1 rates based on income if:
  • Any member of the household currently participates in any of these three programs:  Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Food Support (SNAP), or Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
  • One or more children in the household are foster children (a welfare agency or court has legal responsibility for the child).
  • Total Income (gross income, not take home page) for the household (including any foster children as members of the household, but not including any foster care payments as income) is within these guidelines:
You can check the web site to see if you live in an area deemed to be eligible for Tier 1 reimbursement. The Minnesota Department of Education determines the Tier 1 areas.  Your Program Advisor will leave you with the necessary forms for you (the Provider) or your day care families to complete if you believe you are categorically or income eligible for Tier 1 reimbursement.  
The CACFP is responsible for more than you may think! It provides jobs, opportunities, and of course…promotes healthy eating!
Childcare provides jobs all across America. For providers AND parents. The job force benefits greatly, with more families able to find and keep jobs because of their access to affordable childcare. And what does a strong job force mean? A strong economy and strong America! So what are you waiting for? If CACFP matters to you – prove it! Contact Congress and tell them to support CACFP.