Celebrate National Child and Adult Care Food Program Week, March 13-19, 2022

LANSING - The week of March 13-19, 2022 is National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week, and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) asks providers, educators, and students statewide to join in celebrating the importance of healthy meals for children and adults in need.

"Providing healthy meals for our children and adults in need is a commitment to our shared humanity," said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. "Working with schools and other providers, we together serve those who otherwise wouldn't have."

Each year, more than 5,000 family and group adult and child care homes and 525 independent centers and sponsors of centers participate in the CACFP in Michigan.  These facilities serve more than 5.8 million breakfasts, 6.9 million lunches, 11 million snacks, and 5.3 million suppers each year to children and adults in care centers, after-school at-risk programs, and family care homes.

CACFP provides federal funds to non-residential child and adult care facilities to serve nutritious meals and snacks. CACFP plays a vital role in improving the quality of care for many families. The program's goal is to maintain or improve the health and nutritional status of participants in care, while promoting the development of good eating habits.

Eligible child and adult care facilities include:

• Licensed child care centers
• Head Start programs
• Great Start to Readiness Programs (GSRP)
• Public and non-public Schools
• After-school care programs
• Emergency shelters providing residential and food services to homeless children
• Family child care homes, including relative-care providers
• Some private, for-profit child care centers
• Adult day service programs

For more information about CACFP in Michigan, please visit the Child and Adult Care Food Program.