FCC Food Program 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 registered family child care homes.

Try out our calculator to see how your registered family child care home could benefit if you participate in the food program!

*These food reimbursement rates are in effect for registered family child care providers between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Rates are annually adjusted — the next rate adjustments will be announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July 2023.

The calculator is an estimate based on 5 children eating 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 home to eat). Therefore, providers are only reimbursed for meals served to children who have attended that day. It is also possible to claim reimbursement for more than 5 children depending upon the schedules utilized (e.g., part-time vs full-time care), which could mean that meals and snacks could exceed 5 children per day.

Providers can keep their records on paper. Or, to save time and promote efficiency, Child Care Resources and the Camden Department of Children’s Services will offer free KidKare software that will enable providers to efficiently manage their records on their computer (or you can enter records through your phone). No worries, training will be provided!

Sound like something you want to try? Ask us how to sign up! We will help you!

CACFP Monitoring & Oversight

• Family Day Care Home Monitoring Handbook
• USDA COVID-19 Nationwide Onsite Monitoring Waiver (August 4, 2020)
• National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) Remote Inspections in Child Care Settings: A Viable Alternative During Emergency Situations (July 2020)

Brief Explanation

Breakfast Rate

• The reimbursement amount for each child for breakfast is $1.66

Lunch or Dinner

• The reimbursement amount for each child for lunch or dinner is $3.04 (children are allowed 2 meals per day)

Snacks

• The reimbursement amount for each child for a snack is 97 cents. Children can have 1 reimbursable snack and 2 meals (or 2 snacks and 1 meal)

Number of Children

• The reimbursement amounts are calculated based on the number of children in your home for whom you provide paid care and who eat meals and snacks each day (your own children are excluded).

CACFP Resources for Child Care Providers

CACFP & Taxes: Family Child Care providers are always better off participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

While CACFP reimbursement is revenue to a family child care provider’s program, food expenses are also deductible as a cost related to operating your home business. Often the deduction can exceed CACFP reimbursement. Learn more here.

• 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