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CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)
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What are the benefits?
- Peace of Mind: If your provider participates in the CACFP, you can feel confident that they are preparing nutritious meals and snacks for your child. That’s because providers who want to receive money to help them pay for food costs under the program must serve meals and snacks that meet U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition requirements. These requirements are based on the Recommended Dietary Allowances and Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They spell out just how much of each kind of food to provide for children’s ages.
- Convenience: You won’t have to worry about buying food and packing your child’s lunch and snacks each day.
- Cost Savings: Child care can be very expensive. CACFP providers receive money to help cover food costs, which may result in savings for you and your provider.
- Emphasis on Nutrition: CACFP child care providers receive training that helps them to prepare healthy meals and snacks that meet USDA requirements. They also learn fun nutrition education activities they can use to encourage your child to develop good eating habits.
Why are healthy eating habits important for your child?
Children need to eat well to grow well: Eating a variety of nutritious foods helps children develop strong bones, skin, teeth, and hair. Eating well also helps them fight illness.
Children who eat better learn better: Studies have shown that nutrition ranks second to heredity as an indicator of a student’s success in school.
Good food provides fuel for exploring: Young children learn by exploring the world around them. Children who eat nutritiously will have the energy needed to explore and discover.
How to apply:
If you would like to have your child have the advantages of the CACFP, please contact Frederick County Department of Social Services at 301-600-2687.
All licensed family child care providers are eligible to participate and will receive money to help cover the cost of meals and snacks served.
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A lack of iron is a common nutrition problem for kids?
An eight ounce glass of orange juice provides a full day’s supply of Vitamin C?
Even young children need at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day?
Eating healthy food early in life can reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease and some cancers as an adult?
CACFP providers attend nutrition classes that help them better understand children’s special nutrient needs?
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