UPDATED LIST OF PROGRAMS SERVING NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

May 4, 2015 (Sacramento) -- State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that disadvantaged families in California can now find updated lists of child and adult care centers offering nutritious meals at low- or no-cost through the California Department of Education’s Web site.

 “I encourage low-income families to take advantage of these centers to ensure their children are well-fed and have access to nutritious food,” said Torlakson. “Students have to be healthy to succeed in school, and a good diet is critical to good health.”

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nearly 5,000 local child care centers and 17,000 sponsored family day care home providers in California participate in the CACFP. These facilities provide nutritious food to infants, children, and adults. All children enrolled in these day care homes receive meals at no charge. Most participating child care centers also provide meals at no charge. In centers that have a separate charge for meals, participants may receive free or reduced-price meals.

Child care centers can provide free or reduced-price meals if families of children in their care meet household income eligibility guidelines. For example, a family of four earning $31,005 a year (up from $30,615 last year) can qualify for free meals and snacks. Also, a family of four earning $44,123 a year (up from $43,568 last year) can qualify for reduced-price meals and snacks. The Income Eligibility Scales for 2014–15 for free and reduced-price meals and snacks are attached.

Child care centers or day care home providers with children in households that receive California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, CalFresh, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, Head Start, Early Head Start, or the Even Start Program are automatically eligible at the free rate. Adult day care centers with adults that receive CalFresh, FDPIR, Social Security Income, or Medicaid benefits are also eligible for reimbursement at the free rate. Institutions serve meals to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.*

To find day care home sponsors in your area, visit the interactive CACFP Day Care Home Sponsors Web page and search by county. For a child or adult day care center, visit the interactive 2014–15 CACFP Center Sites Web page and search by county.

Free Eligibility Scale: Meals, Snacks, and Milk

Reduced-Price Eligibility Scale: Meals and Snacks

The California Department of Education is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education Web site or by mobile device.