Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) is a proud sponsor of the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a federal program designed to promote the serving of nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in the care of participating childcare centers, day care homes and adult day care centers. CKCAC currently sponsors 24 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH), 24 Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) and 1 Emergency Shelter in the following 18 Kentucky counties: Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Jessamine, LaRue, Lincoln, Meade, Mercer, Nelson, Pulaski, Scott, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford.
The CACFP benefits the children, the child care facilities, the parents/guardians of the children and our communities. Below are some of the many benefits the food program provides.
CACFP Benefits for Children Include:
· Served three meals a day that are USDA certified: usually breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
· Served cow’s milk or nutritional equivalent twice a day.
· Served fruits and vegetables daily; often fresh which they may not receive otherwise.
· At least one of the grains served each day is a whole grain.
· Some FCCH and Centers have small gardens and get the children involved with the gardening process and the rewards of fresh fruit and/or vegetables. The more the children are involved in the growing, gathering and/or preparing of meals, the more likely they are to try new foods.
· CACFP requires sugar limits on cereal, etc. that is provided as CACFP components. (Sugar/Serving Size=0.212 or less)
· CACFP helps children receive needed nutrients that they may not otherwise receive; while helping them create healthy eating habits they can continue into adulthood, or at least revisit as adults.
Sponsored Home and Center Benefits Include:
· Can advertise as a CACFP participant which lets parents/guardians know their children will receive USDA certified menus while in their care.
· Receives food costs reimbursement based on the number of meals served and the Free, Reduced and Paid eligibility of the children in their care, which helps with rising grocery costs.
· Sponsor provides staff training each year; checks the monthly reports for accuracy and makes necessary changes before submitting reimbursement information to the state; and bears the weight of any issues like requested refunds by the state.
Parent/Guardian Benefits Include:
· Child is receiving a well-rounded diet which promotes a healthy child physically and emotionally, often resulting in a happier child and less medical costs.
· Childcare receiving CACFP reimbursements are less likely to have to raise their rates due to the rising cost of food.
· Children exposed to more types of foods may be more willing to try additional food options the parent/guardian provides, resulting in a less picky eater.
Community Benefits Include:
· CACFP makes child care in our communities more affordable due to the food costs reimbursements received by Family Child Care Homes and Centers participating in the program.
· CACFP promotes healthy eating habits for community youth which ultimately results in a healthier community.
· CACFP encourages needed child care homes and centers to open in our communities because it’s more affordable due to the food costs reimbursements, which in turn enables more parents/guardians to enter the local workforce.
If you know of any Family Child Care Homes and/or Day Care Centers who are interested in finding out more about the Child and Adult Care Food Program and whether they are eligible to participate, they may contact CKCAC’s FCCH/UC Director, Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.