Licensed Child Care Centers 

Child care providers have a powerful opportunity to instill healthy habits in young children that serve as a foundation for healthy choices in life.

Child Care Centers offering meals through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) play a critical role in supporting the wellness, health, and development of children through the provision of nutritious foods.

CACFP can provide nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children as a regular part of their day care. Even though CACFP reimburses centers at free, reduced-price, or paid rates for eligible meals and snacks served to enrolled children, that program is not fully utilized. 

For example: In 2025 only 19% of childcare center meals available to low-income children were provided.  

Those eligible to participate in CACFP include, public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, care centers that operate outside-school-hours, and organizations that are licensed or approved to provide day care services.

For-profit centers that serve lower income children may also be eligible.

Childcare centers can estimate federal reimbursements here.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

CACFP Self Sponsorship with Minnesota Department of Education
Grant applicants must complete the self-paced, five-hour online Minnesota Department of Education CACFP Sponsors Training Course .

After completing the course, download the Hunger Impact Partners Self Sponsor Application form.

CACFP Sponsoring Organization Partnership
Providers Choice and other sponsors work with Childcare Centers to help them meet the
requirements for enrollment and utilization of CACFP.

Download the Hunger Impact Partners Application to work with a sponsoring organization.