Child Care Center CACFP Food Calculator

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program to support nutritious meals and snacks for children in child care, including child care centers. To participate in CACFP, 25% of the children in the center must be from low income families.

Try out our calculator to see how your center could benefit if you participate in the food program! To join the food program, contact Child Care Resources (Monmouth County, (732) 918-9901) or the Camden Department of Children’s Services (Camden County, (856) 374-6376) today!

Brief Explanation

Breakfast Rate

• The reimbursement amount for each child is based on family income. The highest rate of reimbursement ($2.37 per child) applies to children in families with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line.

Lunch or Dinner

• The reimbursement amount for each child for lunch or dinner is highest ($4.43 per child) for children in families with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line (children are allowed 2 meals per day)

Snacks

• The reimbursement amount for each child for a snack is highest ($1.21 per child) for children in families with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line. Children can have 1 reimbursable snack and 2 meals (or 2 snacks and 1 meal).

Number of Children

• Select the number of children within each income bracket.
• The reimbursement amounts are calculated based on the number of children in your center for whom you provide paid care and who eat meals and snacks each day. The rate of reimbursement is based on family income.

CACFP Resources for Child Care Providers

• Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (interactive web tool)
• Food Buying Guide: Webinar on using the interactive web tool
• Food Buying Guide: Mobile App
• Webinar: The Food Buying Guide Calculator
• CREDITING HANDBOOK FOR THE Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Food Buying Guides for CACFP
• New Jersey Department of Agriculture, CACFP Resources

• Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (interactive web tool)
• Food Buying Guide: Webinar on using the interactive web tool
• Food Buying Guide: Mobile App
• Webinar: The Food Buying Guide Calculator
• CREDITING HANDBOOK FOR THE Child and Adult Care Food Program

• Food Buying Guides for CACFP

• New Jersey Department of Agriculture, CACFP Resources

What is MyPlate? It’s all about eating healthy!

• New Jersey’s Locally Grown and Produced Foods — healthy eating and supporting local farmers and communities.
• Easy & Healthy Recipes
• The 2 Bite Club- A storybook and Coloring Book

*These food reimbursement rates are in effect for child care centers between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Rates are annually adjusted — the next rate adjustments will be announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2025.

The calculator is an estimate based on the number of children you select and family income, and children who are in attendance to eat lunch and breakfast and a snack daily. Your actual reimbursement will vary based on a child’s attendance (e.g., whether or not they are in your center to eat). Therefore, centers are only reimbursed for meals served to children who have attended that day. In order for centers to receive CACFP reimbursement, 25% of children served must be from low income families (at or below 185% of the federal poverty line).

Sound like something you want to try? Contact Child Care Resources (Monmouth County, (732) 918-9901) or the Camden Department of Children’s Services (Camden County, (856) 374-6376) today! Ask us for more information about how to sign up for the food program! We will help you!