The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Child care centers that sign up to participate, serve healthy meals and snacks to the children in their care and receive financial reimbursements.
Any licensed non-profit center
Any licensed for-profit center where at least 25% of the children in attendance each month are from low-income households. Eligibility is determined by having families complete the Providers Choice "Annual Family CACFP Enrollment form" which we provide.
Monthly payments for the meals and snacks you serve
Increase revenue without increasing the fees to parents
Attract families to your center because CACFP participation is an indicator of quality child care
Spend more time managing your center – let us manage the Food Program paperwork
Easily track attendance and meal counts online
We help you create nutritious menus and work with all caterers
We provide training and support to your employees and teachers
We review and submit your Food Program claims to the state
Check out this video featuring one of our Minneapolis centers! We are proud to work with centers to promote healthy eating to all of Minnesota's children.
Check out this video featuring one of our Minneapolis centers! We are proud to work with centers to promote healthy eating to all of Minnesota's children.
Participation is easy!
| DAILY TASKS | MONTHLY TASKS | YEARLY TASKS |
|---|---|---|
|
Record attendance & meal counts Record menu changes |
Submit claim documents to Providers Choice Collect Annual Family CACFP Enrollment Forms for new families Get paid through direct deposit |
Collect Annual Family CACFP Enrollment Forms Renew catering and procurement documentation (if applicable) Complete CACFP and civil rights training for all center staff |
How much can I earn?
Centers currently participating with Providers Choice typically earn between $500 to $12,000 each month.
Payment amount will depend on the type and number of meals you serve, the number of children in care and the incomes of the families you serve. Rates are calculated based on completed Annual Family CACFP Enrollment forms. Reimbursement rates are updated every July and are determined by USDA.
| Current child care center rates in effect from 7/01/2024 - 6/30/2025 | |||
| Breakfast | Lunch/Supper | Snack | |
| Free | $2.37 | * $4.43 | $1.21 |
| Reduced | $2.07 | * $4.03 | $.60 |
| Paid | $.39 | * $.42 | $.11 |
|
Centers may claim up to two meals and a snack or two snacks and a meal per child per day. * An additional.30 cents is added for Cash-in-Lieu to the rate for each lunch/supper served. |
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FAQs
When will I receive payment?
Center claims are submitted at the end of each month and paid on a monthly basis. Claims are due by the 5th of the month following the month’s close. For example, once January is over, the claim is due to Providers Choice by February 5th. Claims are processed in the order in which they are received.
Providers Choice reviews the claim and all documentation and submits the claim to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Once claims have been submitted to MDE, they are typically paid the following week on Friday.
What foods am I required to serve?
Many foods are creditable and qualify to be served in the CACFP! Learn more
I’m ready to join, now what?
Great! Click here to complete this short form. Someone from our team will reach out to discuss next steps. Completing the form does not commit you to participating on our program but allows you to learn more about how Providers Choice may be a good fit for your program.