Child Care Food Program Continues to Contribute to Child Wellness in Florida

Since 1998, the Florida Department of Health’s Child Care Food Program (CCFP), a federally-funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized by 7 CFR Part 226 and section 383.011, Florida Statutes, has provided nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children who are enrolled with participating child care providers. In 2020, CCFP reimbursed child care providers for serving 122,663,154 meals to approximately 250,000 Florida children each day. Throughout the years, CCFP has also guided child care providers on the best ways to serve healthy foods and promote healthy habits for life by encouraging them to teach young children about food choices.

Children who eat healthy foods are more attentive and are better learners. Eating well early in life has a profound effect on a child’s growth and can even reduce obesity risks. Parents seeking child care in Florida are encouraged to enroll their children with providers who participate in CCFP. Learn more at: www.FloridaHealth.gov/CCFP.

How does CCFP work?

CCFP reimburses child care providers and ensures that meals and snacks meet or exceed federal and state nutrition standards.

Which child care providers participate?

Lists of participating providers, organized by facility type, can be found at: www.FloridaHealth.gov/CCFP.

The program is offered at four types of child care-related settings:

• Child Care Centers: In a non-pricing child care center, meals are available at no separate charge to eligible children. In a pricing child care center, which has a separate identifiable charge for meals, children from households whose income falls within the reduced-price income eligibility guidelines are eligible for reduced-price meals. These meals are priced at 40 cents for lunch/supper, 30 cents for breakfast and 15 cents for snacks. Children from households whose income falls within the free income eligibility guidelines are eligible for meals at no charge. Refer to the current income eligibility guidelines listed below.
• Family Day Care Homes: Meals are available at no separate charge to eligible children.
• Afterschool Programs: Snacks and/or meals are available at no separate charge to eligible children.
• Homeless Shelters and Certain Emergency Shelters: Meals are available at no separate charge to eligible children.

Who is eligible for meals and snacks?

Meals are available to all eligible participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Head Start participants funded by the Office of Head Start, within the Administration of Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and children from households receiving Food Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits are automatically eligible to receive free meals benefits at participating facilities.

Below are the current income eligibility guidelines used in determining a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.

Income Eligibility Guidelines (Effective July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022)

Free Meal Scale

Reduced-Price Meal Scale

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: www.ASCR.USDA.gov/Complaint_Filing_Cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

• Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

         Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

         1400 Independence Avenue, SW

         Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

• Fax: 202-690-7442; or
• Email: Intake@USDA.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.