Child Nutrition Programs

Learn about Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks in child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care programs. Also see:

• Income Eligibility Guidelines
• Contact Your State Agency
• USDA Recipes for Childcare

Child nutrition programs help to ensure that children have access to nutrition meals and snacks in schools, summer programs, childcare centers and homes, and afterschool programs.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Office of Food Safety develops education, instruction and technical assistance resources for individuals working in federally funded nutrition assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Learn about the program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day. See also:

• NSLP Fact Sheet
• Applying for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
• NSLP Background and Development

Learn about the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and find related information and resources. See also:

• SBP Fact Sheet[PDF|83 KB]
• Energize Your Day with School Breakfast!

Learn about Special Milk Program (SMP), which provides milk to children in schools and childcare institutions who do not participate in other Federal meal service programs.

Find out how eligible children continue receiving meals even during the summer when school is out. See also:

• Find Free Summer Meals for Children in Your Community
• SFSP Fact Sheets
• SFSP State Agency Contacts
• SFSP Frequently Asked Questions

See how Team Nutrition improves lifelong eating and physical activity habits of children by using the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.

• Join the Team 
• Team Nutrition Resources for Schools
• Resources for Child Care

Find information about how the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps reduce the cost of food by reimbursing adult care institutions and family or group day care homes.