PATCH Child Care Food Program

PATCH strives to improve the diets of children in child care and to promote nutrition education. Family Child Care Providers participating in USDA Child Care Food Program through PATCH, are reimbursed for meals and snacks. They have access to nutritional resources, training and technical assistance. Providers also receive assistance in practical day-to-day operations, such as menu planning and sanitation. All of the meals claimed for reimbursement must meet food component and minimum portion requirements set by the USDA.

Want to Join the Food Program?

This federally funded program ensures that children in family child care homes receive nutritious well-balanced meals. The goal is to improve the health and eating habits of young children.

Do I Qualify?
You must be licensed as a family child care provider by the State Department of Human Services.

Daily attendance and meal records must be kept and any meals claimed must be provided to the children (birth to 13 yrs) without any additional expense to the parents.

General Information and Benefits

This federally funded program ensures that children in family child care homes receive nutritious well-balanced meals. The goal is to improve the health and eating habits of young children.

What are the benefits of joining the program?

How do I get paid?
The federal government sets the amount per meal that you can be paid. You are paid for the meals you serve to your day care children, up to three meals per day, of which one must be a snack. You are paid each month for meals served in the previous month.

PATCH Food Program Forms & Tools

Resources Food Program Participants

Meal Patterns

Children & Infant Food Chart

Food Program Forms
Forms may be completed on your computer using Adobe Acrobat Reader, then printed for submission.

Attendance Log Form

Regular Menu Form

Infant Menu Planning Form

Sample Menus

Sample Menu Cycle 1-6

Regular Menu Portions

Regular Menu Sample Chicken Fish Veg.

Regular Menu Sample Vegetarian Not Vegan

Infant Menu Sample 4-7 months

Infant Menu Sample 8-11 months

USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program

Nutrition is an important part of a good child care program. The USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low income families. Each day, 2.6 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals and snacks to 74,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. CACFP reaches even further to provide meals to children residing in homeless shelters, and snacks and suppers to youths participating in eligible afterschool care programs.

Contact Information

Providers may call the PATCH Food Program at (808) 839-1990 (Oahu). Preschools and center based programs that are interested in the USDA Food Program may contact the Office of Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs at (808) 587-3600 for more information.