FNS Documents & Resources

The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. The nutritional bases of the Food Plans are the 1997-2005 Dietary Reference Intakes, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and 2005 MyPyramid food intake recommendations. In addition to cost, differences among plans are in specific foods and quantities of foods. Another basis of the Food Plans is that all meals and snacks are prepared at home. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items.

In response to questions from regional offices, state agencies, and sponsoring organizations, this memorandum clarifies how sponsoring organizations may establish the income eligibility of children enrolled in tier II day care homes.

The memorandum explains the circumstances under which a state agency may use the automatic eligibility provisions for free school meals and milk for children from households who are receiving assistance under the state’s TANF Program. It also discusses TANF as it affects reimbursement and eligibility under the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

Attached is the fourth set of questions and answers on the two-tiered reimbursement structure for family day care homes in the CACFP.

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the documentation required when classifying a day care home as a tier I home on the basis of elementary school data.

In response to concerns expressed by regional staff, state agencies and sponsoring organizations of day care homes, we are issuing this memorandum to help ensure that sponsoring organizations have access to elementary school attendance area information for the purpose of classifying day care homes as tier I day care homes for the CACFP.

Questions and answers on the two-tiered reimbursement structure for family day care homes in the CACFP.