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This Instruction provides clarification of the appropriateness of using program funds for child care standards compliance. Section 226.4(a) of program regulations provides that "FNS shall make funds available to each state agency to reimburse Institutions for their costs in connection with food service operations, including administrative expenses .... "It is Incumbent upon Institutions to use program payments only for costs Incurred In operating and administering the program.

The 40 recipes in this Team Nutrition collection will add the flavors from different cultures and regions to child care menus. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced Child Care Wellness Grants to 14 states for the improvement of health and wellness in child care settings. More than $7.7 million in funding will support state agencies in implementing initiatives through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Over half of the funds awarded will be distributed to local child care sponsoring organizations and institutions through state agencies.

We are issuing this memorandum to clarify that emergency shelters that operate afterschool care programs with education or enrichment activities for homeless children and youth during the regular school year are automatically eligible for at-risk afterschool snacks under CACFP.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the incorporation of local foods and agriculture-based curriculum in early childhood education and care settings, clarifies policies in the recently published FNS Instruction relevant to local food production and procurement, and includes questions and answers regarding procuring local food for use in the CACFP.

FNS is conducting the Erroneous Payments in Child Care Centers Study. This study will focus on CACFP operations in participating child care centers and their sponsoring organizations. This study is necessary for FNS's annual compliance with IPERA in the child care center component of CACFP.

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to help minimize potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These extensions, to waive the requirements until August 31, 2020,  apply to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, can be devastating to communities and require a quick response. Schools, child care centers, and summer sites that operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or the Summer Food Service Program can help minimize disruptions to your family.

This part announces the regulations under which the Secretary of Agriculture will carry out the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

This Instruction clarifies the FNS policy regarding the reimbursement of meals and milk served on weekends through the National School Lunch Program, the Commodity School Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program.