Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) assures that nutritious meals and snacks are served to children and eligible adults enrolled in child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care programs by providing reimbursement for meals that meet minimum nutritional standards.

CACFP requires that well-balanced meals are served and good eating habits are taught. The program also provides training and technical assistance on nutrition, food service operations, program management, nutrition education and recordkeeping.

CACFP is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Additional Resources

Missouri Coronavirus GIS Hub

Emergency Meal Sites For Children Does not work with Internet Explorer.

FNS Response to COVID-19, Child Nutrition Program Waivers

CACFP Week is March 13-19, 2022

• CACFP Programs
• Adult Day Care Centers - Licensed
• Child Care Centers - Licensed or License-Exempt
• At-Risk, Afterschool Program
• Emergency & Homeless Shelters
• Family Child Care Homes - Licensed & Registered
• Food Service Management Contracts
• Forms
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Grant Opportunities
• Growing with MO
• How to Apply
• Manuals
• Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care
• Missouri Eat Smart Child Care
• Missouri MOve Smart Child Care
• Publications
• Rates
• Resources
• Sponsor Directory for At-Risk Afterschool
• USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
• USDA Policies

Training

• CIVIL RIGHTS Training - Online
• CACFP Meal Pattern Training - Online
• CACFP Infant Meal Pattern Training - Online
• CORE (CACFP Operational Resources & Education) - Online (Enrollment Key is CORE)
• Child Care Orientation Training – via Live Webex

Links to Important Information

• CACFP Appeal Flyer
• CNPWeb Application Renewal Instructions FFY 2022
• Instructions to update application forms throughout the year
• Instructions to submit original or revised claims for reimbursement
• Access the CACFP Web-based system
• Recent food recalls

CACFP Crediting Handbook

The Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program is designed by the USDA to be a companion to the Food Buying Guide. This handbook is a source to help determine creditable foods allowed in CACFP. The list of creditable and non-creditable foods in this publication is not all-inclusive. This publication includes only those foods that are commonly served in child care programs and foods USDA has received inquiries about or has noted as being credited incorrectly.

Public Notice

On October 6, 2021 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided State Agencies the opportunity to submit a waiver request for monitoring requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for program year 2022.  Based on this guidance, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance is requesting that USDA approve the State requested waiver to allow the CACFP State Agency and participating CACFP Sponsoring Organizations the option to waive the requirement of unannounced monitoring reviews during the program year 2022. This waiver is requested to take effect immediately for program year 2022, ending on September 30, 2022 or until the end of the public health emergency as declared by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, whichever comes first.

For more information regarding this requested waiver, please email the Child and Adult Care Food Program at CACFP@health.mo.gov.

Public Notice

On March 13, 2020, the president declared a National Emergency due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance (CFNA) has requested three additional waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow flexibilities during this emergency. The waivers requested are:

• To allow meal pattern flexibilities for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns during times of food shortages or availability issues. 
• To allow SFSP sites that do not meet the 50 percent or more free or reduced priced eligibility requirement to be approved as SFSP sites during times of emergency.
• To allow participating CACFP and SFSP sponsoring organizations the option to serve in a non-congregate setting during times of emergency declarations.

For more information regarding these requested waivers, email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.

Public Notice

On March 6, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance regarding the application for state waivers to enable sponsors to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during school closures related to a public health emergency, such as the coronavirus.

In response to the guidance, the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance received approval from USDA to allow participating SFSP sponsoring organizations the option to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during unanticipated school closures related to a public health emergency. 

For more information regarding this requested waiver, email the Summer Food Service Program at SFSP@health.mo.gov.