USDA Food Program
USDA Child Care Food Program
The USDA Child Care Food Program ensures young children in licensed family child care homes have access to balanced, nutritious meals with the goal of improving their eating patterns and habits.
Participants are (partially) reimbursed with federal USDA funds for up to three meals per child (0–13 years of age) per day, of which one must be a snack.
Benefits of Food Program
If YOU are a PROVIDER
- You will get partially reimbursed for the cost of meals you serve.
- You will save parents time and money.
- You can choose healthy foods for ALL the children in your care.
- PATCH Food Program staff will teach you about child nutrition, safe food handling, and more.
- It’s a great way to promote your business as a healthy, quality environment.
- If you meet income criteria, you may also be able to claim your own child’s meals eaten in your day care.
- PATCH helps you every step of the way. We provide food charts, optional pre-planned menus, direct deposit and more!
If YOU are are a PARENT or GUARDIAN
- Proper nutrition helps your child’s development and reduces fatigue and illness.
- Children receive nutrition education as providers shape healthy, positive attitudes to nutritious foods.
- Parents are assured children are served high quality meals.
- You will save time and money not having to prepare your child’s meals.
USDA and PATCH is an equal opportunity provider
SEE A SAMPLE MENU
PATCH Child Care Food Program News:
- Seen Ratatouille, the Movie? Now You Can Make the Dish: Issue 17 PATCH Food Program Newsletter October 2018
- Tropical Fruit Recipes & Topical Food Facts: Issue 16 PATCH Food Program Newsletter September 2018
- How to Pick Fresh Produce & “Eat the Rainbow” Issue 15 PATCH Food Program Newsletter August 2018
- Make Today a Try-Day! Issue 14 PATCH Food Program Newsletter July 2018
- Ps & Qs = Peaches and Quinoa! Issue 13 PATCH Food Program Newsletter June 2018
- What Do You Put in Your Pita Pocket? Issue 12 PATCH Food Program Newsletter May 2018
- Yummy Recipes for Your Youngsters to Enjoy. Issue 11 PATCH Food Program Newsletter April 2018
- Kids Have to Eat. Let’s Make it Fun and Healthy! Issue 10 PATCH Food Program Newsletter March 2018
- Celebrate! March 11-17 is Child and Adult Care Food Program Week: Read more here.
- Get Creative, Integrate Healthy Foods into Your Child’s Diet: Issue 9 PATCH Food Program Newsletter February 2018
- Simply Scrumptious Salmon, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes. . Issue 8 PATCH Food Program Newsletter January 2018
- What Does a Gingerbread Man Do for a Sore Knee? Issue 7 PATCH Food Program Newsletter December 2017
- Is your Child’s Diet Organic or Omnivore? Issue 6 PATCH Food Program Newsletter November 2017
- Pumpkin Pancakes Please Preschooler’s Palates: Issue 5 PATCH Food Program Newsletter October 2017
- PATCH USDA CCFP Press Release September 2017
- Get the “Skinny” on Fats: Issue 4 PATCH Food Program Newsletter September 2017
- Craving Cooking Clues for Children? Issue 3 PATCH Food Program Newsletter August 2017
- Need Nutrition Notes for Your Keiki: Issue 2 PATCH Food Program Newsletter July 2017
- Don’t SnooZzze on Zucchini! It’s good for kids. Issue 1 PATCH Food Program Newsletter June 2017