State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Updates List of Programs Serving Nutritious Meals to Low-Income Families
SACRAMENTO—Disadvantaged families in California can now access interactive Web pages with up-to-date lists of child and adult care centers offering nutritious meals at low or no cost, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.
"Having enough nutritious food to eat is a huge contributing factor to a child's ability to succeed in school and in life," Torlakson said. "These centers offer an important resource for families, and I hope this information gets them the support they need."
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nearly 5,000 local day-care centers and 17,000 sponsored family day-care home providers in California participate in the CACFP.
Child care centers and day-care home providers participating in this program provide nutritious food to infants, children, and adults. All children enrolled in these day-care homes receive meals at no charge. Most participating day-care centers also provide meals at no charge. In centers that have a separate charge for meals, participants may receive free or reduced-price meals.
Child care centers can provide free or reduced-price meals if families of children in their care meet household income eligibility guidelines. For example, a family of four earning $30,615 a year (up from $29,965 last year) can qualify for free meals and snacks. Also, a family of four earning $43,568 a year (up from $42,643 last year) can qualify for reduced-price meals and snacks. The Income Eligibility Scales for 2013–14 for free and reduced-price meals and snacks are attached.
Child care centers or day-care home providers with children in households that receive California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, Head Start, Early Head Start, or the Even Start Program are automatically eligible at the free rate. Adult daycare centers with adults that receive CalFresh, FDPIR, Social Security Income, or Medicaid benefits are also eligible for reimbursement at the free rate. Institutions serve meals to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.*
To find day-care home sponsors in your area, visit the California Department of Education's CACFP Day Care Home SponsorsWeb page and search by county. For a child or adult day care center, visit the 2013–14 CACFP Center Sites Web page and search by county.
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* The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
, go to any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to the USDA by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; by fax 202-690-7442; or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339, or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).
, go to any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to the USDA by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; by fax 202-690-7442; or email at program.intake@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339, or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).Attachment
Meals and Snacks Free Eligibility Scale
Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice Per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $14,937 | $1,245 | $623 | $575 | $288 |
2 | $20,163 | $1,681 | $841 | $776 | $388 |
3 | $25,389 | $2,116 | $1,058 | $977 | $489 |
4 | $30,615 | $2,552 | $1,276 | $1,178 | $589 |
5 | $35,841 | $2,987 | $1,494 | $1,379 | $690 |
6 | $41,067 | $3,423 | $1,712 | $1,580 | $790 |
7 | $46,293 | $3,858 | $1,929 | $1,781 | $891 |
8 | $51,519 | $4,294 | $2,147 | $1,982 | $991 |
For each additional family member, add: | +$5,226 | +$436 | +$218 | +$201 | +$101 |
Meals and Snacks Reduced-Price Eligibility Scale
Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice Per Month | Every Two Weeks | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | $21,257 | $1,772 | $886 | $818 | $409 |
2 | $28,694 | $2,392 | $1,196 | $1,104 | $552 |
3 | $36,131 | $3,011 | $1,506 | $1,390 | $695 |
4 | $43,568 | $3,631 | $1,816 | $1,676 | $838 |
5 | $51,005 | $4,251 | $2,126 | $1,962 | $981 |
6 | $58,442 | $4,871 | $2,436 | $2,248 | $1,124 |
7 | $65,879 | $5,490 | $2,745 | $2,534 | $1,267 |
8 | $73,316 | $6,110 | $3,055 | $2,820 | $1,410 |
For each additional family member, add: | +$7,437 | +$620 | +$310 | +$287 | +$144 |
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction