Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program administered by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults enrolled for care at participating facilities. The program is designed to improve the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and to maintain or improve the physical and mental well-being of functionally impaired or elderly adults.

Eligible institutions include public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, outside-school-hours care centers, family day care homes, emergency shelters, and adult day care centers that are licensed or approved to provide day care services. Adult day care programs must offer structured, comprehensive, nonresidential services to adults who are functionally impaired or aged 60 and older. Facilities may participate independently or under an approved sponsoring organization.

Reimbursable meals and snacks must meet USDA meal pattern requirements and dietary guidelines. Reimbursement is available for qualifying breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack services offered to enrolled participants, children residing in emergency shelters, or youth attending eligible afterschool care programs.

Interested organizations must apply through the Michigan Department of Education. Program operators can access application instructions, required forms, and guidance on how to apply through MDE's CACFP web portal or by contacting MDE Food and Nutrition Programs directly.