About the Child Care Food Program (CCFP) ...It’s Fun and EASY!
The Child Care Food Program (CCFP) is a federally funded program offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Florida Department of Health, which is sponsored locally by the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County for Licensed Child Care Home Providers.
The purpose of the CCFP is to provide oversight and reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks served to children in child care settings in private licensed homes. Each day, millions of children throughout the United States receive nutritious meals and snacks through this program.
The CCFP will reimburse up to two meals and one snack or two snacks and one meal per child , per day.
CCFP plays a vital role in improving the quality of child care and by making it more affordable to serve healthy meals and snacks to children in our community.
What is Required to Participate in the Child Care Food Program?
Requirements:
- Be a licensed child care home (for instructions on how to apply for a child care license go to www.myflorida.com/childcare )
- Agree to feed children (birth-12 yrs of age)
- Keep an accurate count of all children served at each meal and/or snack.
- Submit attendance sheet(s) by the 5th business day of the month.
- Attend the annual meeting/training sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
- Allow the Food Program Coordinator and DOH staff to review your home during business hours at least (3) times a year.
- Feed all participating children regardless of race, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
- Provide meals at no additional cost to parent.
Why Participate in the Child Care Food Program?
The Child Care Food Program is important to Child Care Providers, children, and their parents in many ways.
- It is beneficial to Child Care Providers because it provides them with nutritional education, materials that promote healthy living, menu ideas, and increased revenue!
- It is important to keep our children healthy despite rising food costs. With the growing obesity rates in America, it has never been more important to teach children healthy eating habits and to provide them with balanced and nutritious meals.
- Parents can be assured that their children are receiving nutritious meals and snacks while in their child care setting with no additional cost to them.
Partnering with the Child Care Food Program helps promote and instill healthy habits with children that will last a lifetime.
Meals and snacks served to children must meet specific USDA meal pattern requirements. The meal pattern includes milk, fruits and vegetables, meat and grains in amounts specified by age.
All Licensed Child Care Homes are eligible to participate. Basic requirements are to attend and follow the Food Program training, have at least one unrelated child in your care, and submit timely claims.
If you are not licensed, contact the Department of Children and Families in Escambia County at (850)595-8247 or in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County at 850.833.3839. or visit www.myflorida.com/childcare
Visit the helpful sites on our Parent Resources page for more information.
For local questions, contact Sandra Mosley, Child Care Food Program, 850-475-5540
