What is the purpose of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?

The purpose of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is to reimburse centers that provide meals to children and older adults in various care settings. This program plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals in these groups receive nutritious meals, supporting their overall health and well-being. By offering financial assistance to facilities serving meals, the CACFP helps to alleviate the cost burden on these centers, enabling them to focus on providing quality care and nutrition.

While the program does serve meals to children and adults, it is primarily focused on reimbursement rather than direct service to families or conducting research. Additionally, although education on nutrition is an important aspect of many programs in care settings, the CACFP itself specifically centers around meal reimbursement rather than educational initiatives. Understanding this distinction clarifies the program's main function within the larger context of nutritional support and food assistance.