The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Quality nutrition is an essential health and educational support for children, yet many go without the consistent nourishment they need to reach their full potential. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) ensures children and teenagers receive high-quality meals and snacks while in afterschool enrichment programs and other care settings fueling kids’ minds and bodies, so they are ready to learn and grow.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program administered through the New York State Department of Health which provides reimbursement for healthy snacks and meals. Programs can prescreen for eligibility using the NYSDOH CACFP Prescreening Tool.
To apply or receive more information, contact cacfp@health.ny.gov using the subject line “Outreach Coordinator”, or call (518) 402-7400.
Visit AfterschoolMealsNY.org to learn more about CACFP
Additional Resources:
CACFP Administrative Task List
Afterschool Nutrition Programs
CACFP Sample Menus and Meal Requirements
CACFP Meal Requirements
To be eligible for reimbursement, meals must:
- Follow the NYS DOH meal pattern requirements, which require certain food components (e.g., vegetables, fruits, grains, fluid milk, meat or meat alternate) and minimum serving sizes. See sample menus and additional information.
For more information, view the CACFP child meal pattern and crediting handbook:
Meal Options
Programs can be flexible to meet the needs of their participants and staff. Among other options, providers may choose to:
- Serve hot or cold meals.
- Accommodate dietary needs, within meal pattern requirements.
- Create cyclical menus to repeat each month or season.
- Vend out meal preparation to a local school district or food service vendor, including another CACFP sponsor.
Additional CACFP sample menus and creditable recipes:
- Hunger Solutions New York Sample Menu for Afterschool Programs
- Institute of Child Nutrition: Child Nutrition Recipe Box
CACFP Success Stories
The NYS Network for Youth Success has created a series of videos with the Hudson River Museum about using the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in their afterschool programs. The videos interview both staff members and youth participants of the program. The interviewees discuss why CACFP is important to them and their program as well as the long term impacts it can have on healthy eating choices. The staff also discuss the process of applying for CACFP and why they found it to be an integral part of the afterschool program. Click the links below to view the three segments.
Click on the following afterschool programs to learn how they implemented CACFP successfully in their programs.
Police Athletic League (PAL) New York City
City of Olean Youth & Recreation Department
Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region
Additional CACFP Resources
CACFP Outreach Toolkit
Spread the word about the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) by using the graphics and social media posts included in the toolkit.
FRAC Resources
Learn more about Afterschool Nutrition Programming through the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).
USDA’s At-Risk Afterschool Meals: A Child and Adult Food Care Program Handbook
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s in-depth handbook which highlights what CACFP is, eligibility requirements for your program and how the application process works.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) menu planning form
The form can be used by afterschool providers who plan to serve supper and/or snack during their program. It provides a menu template for programs required to provide sample menus along with their CACFP paperwork.
Child Nutrition Programs are vital for kids and families in NYS
Learn more about the impact of child nutrition programming in New York state.
Summer Food Service Program
Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2026
This report from the Food Research and Action Center provides information on the Summer Food Service Program and how its doing across the country.
FRAC Facts: The Summer Food Service Program
This fact sheet by the Food Research and Action Center provides information about the summer meals program.
DOH Training Schedule
The New York State Department of Health offers a number of CACFP trainings for approved sponsors. Trainings include topics on CACFP administration, food production, and best practices.
Our Partners
Look for additional resources and information from Hunger Solutions New York also available on at their News & Action Center
