Child Care Food Program
A USDA program that helps children in care receive well-balanced meals — and reimburses providers for serving them.
What the program does
The Child Care Food Program (CCFP) is a USDA initiative for children age 12 and under. Siskiyou Child Care Council serves as a sponsoring organization for child care homes in our county. The program aims to:
- Improve nutrition for children through well-balanced meals
- Help children develop healthy eating habits that last a lifetime
- Train child care providers in proper nutrition practices
Meal pattern requirements
For children over one year old, each claimed meal must include:
🥣 Breakfast
One serving each of: milk · vegetable, fruit, or 100% juice · bread or bread alternate.
🍎 A.M. / P.M. snacks
Select two of the following four: milk · meat or meat alternate · fruit or vegetable · bread or bread alternate.
🍽️ Lunch & supper
One serving each of: milk · meat or meat alternate · bread or bread alternate — plus two servings of vegetables and/or fruits.
Reimbursement
Providers may claim up to three meals per child per day: either two main meals and one snack, or two snacks and one main meal. Reimbursement is paid at Tier I or Tier II rates depending on the facility's location, the provider's income, or the income of the families served.
Participating is simple
You'll need to
- Hold a current Family Child Care Home license, or be a License-Exempt Trustline provider
- Serve nutritious, USDA-compliant meals
- Keep records and submit monthly forms — enrollment forms, daily menus, attendance, and meal counts
- Attend one nutrition training each year
- Allow three unannounced meal-monitoring visits per year
You'll receive
- Cash reimbursement for food costs
- Nutrition training and guidance during home visits
- The quarterly Food for Thought newsletter
USDA non-discrimination statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, this program is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible agency. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, visit www.usda.gov/oascr. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.