Child Care Program Office
Information for Providers: Child Care Food Program
The Child Care Food Program is a federal program of the Food and Nutrition
Services (FNS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program
reimburses licensed and approved child care providers for a portion of
their food costs. The primary goal of the program is to improve the diet
of children ages 12 year and younger, by assisting child care providers
in helping children develop good eating habits and attitudes towards
foods.
The major advantage of the program is reimbursement of the cost of meals
and snacks served to child care children. Providers also have the opportunity
to participate in free nutrition education workshops, which are creditable
towards licensing and CDA requirements. In addition, program recipients
receive three on-site nutrition education visits from CCFP staff annually,
record keeping and technical assistance, and additional resources to
support the business of family child care. By participating in the program,
providers can make nutrition not only an important, but a fun, part of
child care.
Center-based providers, both non-profit and for-profit, participating
in the program work directly with the Alaska Department of Education
and Early Development Food and Nutrition Services. Family child care
providers who participate in the program must submit a monthly menu
which follows the food and nutrition guidelines governing the program.
To sign up, simply contact the Child Care Food Program sponsor in your
community, who will assist you in completing al program paperwork and
explain the nutrition requirements and paperwork.
For more information, or to locate your local Child Care Food Program
sponsor, call 465-8711, or check the website at http://education.alaska.gov/tls/cnp/CACFP.html