CACFP reimbursement rates for 2026-27.
What USDA pays per meal and snack in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. For centers and family day care homes, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
In effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Last checked against the Federal Register on November 2, 2026.
Source: USDA, Federal Register notice 2026-15071 (91 FR 46894), published July 27, 2026.
Rates for child care centers
A center is paid for each meal by the child’s category: free, reduced-price or paid.
The same rates cover outside-school-hours, at-risk afterschool and adult day care centers.
| Meal | Free | Reduced-price | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $2.54 | $2.24 | $0.42 |
| Lunch or supper | $4.76 | $4.36 | $0.45 |
| Snack | $1.30 | $0.65 | $0.12 |
| Meal | Free | Reduced-price | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $4.09 | $3.79 | $0.64 |
| Lunch or supper | $7.72 | $7.32 | $0.74 |
| Snack | $2.12 | $1.06 | $0.19 |
| Meal | Free | Reduced-price | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $3.29 | $2.99 | $0.52 |
| Lunch or supper | $6.19 | $5.79 | $0.59 |
| Snack | $1.70 | $0.85 | $0.15 |
Rates for family day care homes
A home is paid by tier: Tier I or Tier II.
Its sponsor sets the tier and passes the payment on to the home.
| Meal | Tier I | Tier II |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $1.74 | $0.62 |
| Lunch or supper | $3.31 | $1.99 |
| Snack | $0.98 | $0.27 |
| Meal | Tier I | Tier II |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $2.79 | $0.98 |
| Lunch or supper | $5.36 | $3.23 |
| Snack | $1.59 | $0.44 |
| Meal | Tier I | Tier II |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $2.25 | $0.79 |
| Lunch or supper | $4.30 | $2.59 |
| Snack | $1.28 | $0.35 |
Monthly rates for sponsors of day care homes
A sponsor is paid a monthly rate for each home it sponsors.
The rate steps down as a sponsor takes on more homes.
| Homes | Contiguous states | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 50 homes | $157 | $254 | $204 |
| Next 150 homes | $119 | $193 | $155 |
| Next 800 homes | $93 | $151 | $121 |
| Each home after 1,000 | $82 | $133 | $107 |
Reading the tables
Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands use Hawaii’s rates.
Washington, D.C. uses the contiguous states’ rates.
USDA Foods, or cash in their place, come on top of these rates for each lunch and supper.
For 2026-27 the value is at least 32 cents per lunch or supper (Federal Register notice 2026-14123).
Who can claim CACFP
These programs can take part:
- Licensed or approved child care centers, public or nonprofit, including Head Start.
- For-profit centers, in a month when at least 25% of their children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Children who get Title XX child care help count toward it too.
- Licensed or approved family day care homes, through a sponsoring organization.
- Afterschool programs in areas where at least half the children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
- Emergency shelters and adult day care centers.
Children 12 and under can be claimed.
The age goes up for migrant children, children with disabilities and afterschool programs.
Per child per day, claim at most two meals and a snack, or a meal and two snacks.
How a child’s category is set in a center
- Free: household income at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- Reduced-price: household income over 130% and up to 185%.
- Paid: every other enrolled child.
Children in families on SNAP, TANF or FDPIR qualify for free meals.
So do Head Start children and foster children.
USDA updates the income limits every July 1.
How a day care home’s tier is set
- Tier I: the home is in a low-income area, or the provider’s own household income qualifies.
- Tier II: every other home.
A low-income area is one where at least half the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
School or census data decides it.
A Tier II home can still be paid Tier I rates for children whose families qualify.
Its sponsor collects those families’ forms.
How to take part
Centers apply to their state’s CACFP agency, on their own or through a sponsor.
Homes always apply through a sponsor.
USDA’s CACFP page says more about each kind of program.
Questions, answered
When do CACFP reimbursement rates change?
Every July 1. USDA adjusts them for changes in food prices. The new notice usually comes out in July.
Is supper paid the same as lunch?
Yes. Lunch and supper share one rate, for centers and for day care homes.
Why are Alaska and Hawaii paid more?
Living costs more there, so USDA pays more. Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands use Hawaii’s rates.
Do these rates include USDA Foods?
No. USDA Foods, or cash in their place, come on top for each lunch and supper. For 2026-27 the value is at least 32 cents a meal.
Where do these numbers come from?
USDA’s Federal Register notice 2026-15071, published July 27, 2026. We last checked it on November 2, 2026.
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