The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which operates under the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care programs across Alabama. The funding provided to the day care programs make opportunities affordable for many low-income families. Each day, 2.6 million children and 74,000 adults receive nutritious meals and snacks in nonresidential child and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides meals to children residing in homeless shelters and snacks to youth participating in eligible after school care programs.

The State of Alabama Department of Education has announced the Jacksonville Day Care Center, Inc. as a sponsor for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Susan Backus, Director at Jacksonville Day Care Center, says the meals help teach kids healthy eating habits.

“We provide a variety of foods throughout the week,” said Backus. “It introduces kids to healthy foods they might have not tried before.”

Meals are available at no separate charge to enrolled participants and are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Children who are members of TANF or food stamps (SNAP) households or are Head Start or Even Start participants are automatically eligible for free meals. Adult participants who are members of food stamp households or who are SSI or Medicaid participants are automatically eligible to receive free meals.

For more information about the Child and Adult Day Care Center Food Program and the maximum household income levels to qualify, contact Mr. James W. Peoples, Administrator, Pre-School Nutrition Programs, Alabama Department of Education, 5302 Gordon Persons Building, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101, (334)242-8249, or Jpeoples@alsde.edu.