Child & Adult Care Food Program

The Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is primarily administered by New York State Department of Health (DOH) with the purpose to improve the nutritional quality of meals served to children in childcare centers and childcare homes, and adults in day care.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds DOH to provide reimbursement for meals and snacks served in licensed non-profit, for-profit, or public centers or licensed/registered childcare homes.

The CACFP program operates on the Federal Fiscal Year October 1 through September 30.

Participants may choose one of two (2) types of support:
 

1. Cash in Lieu (Cash Reimbursement); OR
2. Receiving USDA Foods

** Participants may only receive one type of support at a time.

New York State Department of Health (DOH) provides the option to change your support type each year. If approved, the change becomes effective October 1 following approval.

OGS Food Distribution (OGS) administers the USDA Foods program for New York State recipient agencies and determines entitlement, facilitates ordering, complaints, and the storage and distribution of food from state-contracted warehouses to your agency.

Read the Commodity Food Program Questions and Answers to learn more!
 

Commodity food program Q & A
 

Questions about the CACFP Program?

Website: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/

New York State Department of Health
Phone: (518) 402-7400
Email: [email protected]

Childcare home providers must sign up with a state-approved sponsor. Centers must be licensed, non-profit, or public and may apply for themselves or participate through a sponsor that meets the same requirements.

Centers, childcare home providers, and sponsors should contact the New York State Department of Health for details on program participation or to see if your program is eligible to participate.
 

Questions about eligibility or the application process?

Website: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/apply.htm

New York State Department of Health
Phone: (518) 402-7400
Email: [email protected].

USDA Foods are purchased by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support American farmers, dairyman, cattleman, and fisherman and are 100% domestic products. These are pre-procured end-products such as frozen fruit cups, canned fruits, frozen vegetables, peanut butter, cheese, and frozen proteins.

USDA Foods are ordered using USDA entitlement, which is a dollar value allocated to your agency based on your total lunches served, USDA’s effective meal rate, and other factors.
 

Questions about USDA Foods or USDA Entitlement?

Website: https://ogs.ny.gov/usda-food-distribution

OGS Food Distribution
Phone: (518) 474-5122
Email: [email protected]

Ordering USDA Foods occurs during an ordering period in February/March each year. Foods ordered are delivered to state-contracted warehouses July 1 through June 30, and delivered directly to your delivery locations monthly.
 

Questions about Ordering and Delivery of USDA Foods?

Website: https://ogs.ny.gov/usda-food-distribution

OGS Food Distribution
Phone: (518) 474-5122
Email: [email protected]

If you wish to change the type of support you are receiving or have questions about eligibility, application, or participation please contact New York State Department of Health by calling (518) 402-7400 or by email [email protected].

New York State Department of Health (DOH)

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACF)
[email protected]
(518) 402-7400

For USDA Foods assistance only:

New York State Office of General Services (OGS)

Food Distribution
[email protected]
(518) 474-5122