Child care centers, adult day care centers, family day care homes, afterschool care centers, and emergency shelters receive cash reimbursement for serving meals and snacks that meet Federal nutritional guidelines to eligible children and adult participants. In general, centers and day care homes may be approved to claim reimbursement for serving up to two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal, per day to each eligible child or adult participant.
Meals served to children in centers are reimbursed at rates based upon a child’s eligibility for free, reduced-price, or paid meals.
In day care homes, all meals are served free of charge. Day care home providers who serve children in low-income areas or meet low-income eligibility requirements themselves receive higher levels of reimbursement.