The CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) is comprised of several different service areas that we lovingly refer to as "components" of CACFP. There is child care, both through centers and family child care homes, at risk afterschool, adult day services, and emergency shelters.
The child care and at risk afterschool components are typically the most discussed, researched, and have the broadest reach of meals through CACFP. It is imperative to note that the adult day services and emergency shelter components are vital parts of this federal nutrition program, providing needed nutritious meals to individuals in these environments.
CACFP Roundtable is excited to dive into the latest research that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Services (FNS) has published focusing on only the adult and emergency shelter components!
Characteristics of Adult Day Care Centers that Participate in CACFP
Before diving in, we acknowledge the terminology "adult day care centers" is not the terminology operators use, but this is what is in law and how USDA FNS has to use.
Overview of the findings:
USDA FNS administered a survey to over 2,000 adult day service centers and 1,147 responded.
5 states have over half of participating CACFP sites: Texas, California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.
The majority of centers participate independently (48.1%) but the number of centers that operate under a sponsoring organization is not that far behind (43.3%).
69% of the centers serve adults over age 60 and under age 60 with disabilities
Adults who participated in CACFP at adult day care centers were substantially more likely to be non-White than the general population of older adults and people with disabilities. Adults identifying as Asian were much more likely to participate in CACFP at adult day care centers compared to their share of the population.
96% of meals claimed by the adult day service centers were paid at the free rate (according to administrative data).
Majority of centers claimed Breakfast, lunch, and snack and serve indvidiaully plated meals.
The study also compares the differences between private for-profit and non-profit centers.
The items identified as most challenging by survey respondents included: meal reimbursement rate, complexity of record keeping, requirement to offer or serve dairy products for this adult population, and finding local vendors who can meet CACFP requirements.
Characteristics of Emergency Shelters Participating in CACFP
This is the first national study that looks into this component of CACFP. Emergency shelters, unlike the other CACFP components, are allowed to claim three meals (not only 2 meals and 1 snack or 2 snacks and 1 meal). This study looks into how emergency shelters operate, how CACFP fits in, and challenges with CACFP operations.
Overview of findings:
There are 368 emergency shelters that participate in CACFP nationwide, 66% responded to the survey USDA FNS administered.
The majority are open 365 days a year.
There is a limited number of days participants/residents stay at the emergency shelters. The average is 90 days or less and 43% indicated there is an official limit on days.
Most served fewer than 45 residents per day.
46% also provide child care.
Most only participate in the emergency shelter component.
More than half stated the reason for participating in CACFP was an important source of funding and 44% stated it enable them to provide meal services.
Challenges included administrative burden, balancing the mission to support clients' decision-making power while meeting the meal pattern requirement, and training that is not geared toward child care.
There's a lot more to learn about emergency shelters participating in CACFP, take a look at USDA FNS results here.
CACFP Roundtable will continue to unpack the results of both of these studies. What do you think? What do you want to know more about or what resonates with you? I always love an email, samantha@cacfproundtable.org.
The first CACFP Roundtable Member Meeting of 2025 is on January 22! Register here and talk with your CACFP colleagues about the challenges and experiences operating this essential but albeit, sometimes, difficult program.
We are so excited to host this virtual learning event on May 14, 2025 and connect with CACFP leaders and partners from all across the country. The Virtual Roundtable Deep Dive: Infant and Toddler Nutrition will provide attendees the opportunity to experience the high-quality learning, networking and idea-sharing that you are used to from CACFP Roundtable, but right at your fingertips. Learn more here.
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