PATCH: USDA Child Care Food Program

Home > Resources for Providers > Especially for Family Child Care Providers > USDA Child Care Food Program
Especially for Family Child Care Providers Family Child Care Starting a Family Child Care Business Family Child Care Licensing Cash for Caring Quality Care Program USDA Child Care Food Program PATCH Child Care Training Classes	USDA Child Care Food Program You are now leaving the PATCH website and being directed to an external site. The content of this site is not the responsibility of, or under the control of PATCH. PATCH makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the content of any products, services, vendors or other entities identified on this site. Furthermore, the privacy and security policies of the linked site may differ to those practiced by PATCH. I understand and I wish to visit the site Continue or Cancel 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 menu planning, basic sanitation as well as keeping accurate records for tax purposes. All of the meals claimed for reimbursement must meet the meal pattern and minimum portion requirements as set by the USDA. Why Should I Join the Food Program? The benefits and success of the Child Care Food Program are well documented. Studies have shown that children who participate in the food program receive fewer servings of high sodium, fatty foods and sweets. This federally funded program is supported by congress to ensure that all children in family day care homes have access to balanced and nutritious meals with the goal of improving their eating pattern and habits. How Can 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 up to the child's 13th birthday - once a child turns 13 they no longer qualify) without any additional expense to the parents. General Information and Benefits Being on the Food Program is a sign of professionalism and it shows your concern for the nutritional health of children. It is a benchmark of quality that benefits you and the children in your care. Participating in the food program is one indicator that you offer quality child care. This can be an important factor for parents when choosing child care providers. There's no additional cost to the parent. In fact, it saves parents time and money by not having to prepare or pay for meals at your child care facility. We'll teach you how to keep the risk of food borne illness at a minimum by implementing safe food handling and storage techniques. You can choose healthy foods for ALL the children you care for. No more worrying whether parents will provide complete and nutritious meals. Participating in the food program helps to keep you organized. Providers will have access to Minute Menu Webkids for online claiming and record keeping which features expense tracking, invoicing, automated bill collection via direct deposits, online calendar keeper, and more! If your family meets certain income criteria, you may be able to claim your own children if they are being fed along with the day care children. 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. 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.	CCFP Participant Forms Want to Join the Food Program? General Information and Benefits USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program Contact Information _{The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, and disability.} _{To file a complaint, write to:} _{USDA, Director of Office of Civil Rights, Room 326w Whitten Bldg, 14th and Independence Ave, SW, Washington DC 20250} _{or call 202-720-5964.} _{USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.}

PATCH Supporting Hawaii’s Child Care Needs
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 205 • Honolulu, HI 96817 • Phone (808) 839-1988 • Fax (808) 839-1799
Patch@PatchHawaii.org • Privacy Policy • Legal Disclosures
Copyright © 2004-2010 PATCH. All rights reserved.

Site Design by

Why Should I Join the Food Program?

General Information and Benefits

PATCH Food Program Forms & Tools

USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program

Contact Information