The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) announced updated program requirements for their free and reduced lunch programs across the state. The programs operate through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) which is run by the federal government, and is completely funded via the Department of Agriculture.
Child Nutrition Program Manager with KDE, Elizabeth Fiehler, said CACFP started in the 1960s as a part of the National School Lunch Act.
“It serves childcare centers, both privately owned and not-for-profit, as well as childcare centers in school districts. It serves adult daycares, emergency shelters, afterschool programs and in-home daycares,” said Fiehler.
Under the new guidelines, centers will be reimbursed at a higher rate for meals and snacks they provide.
The programs encourage centers to provide healthy and nutritional breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to students in need throughout the Commonwealth. Officials hope access to these foods will help students establish positive eating habits and encourage proper early development.
Centers that participate in this program receive reimbursement for every meal provided, which fits the guidelines laid out by the CACFP. Fiehler explained the level of reimbursement they receive correlates with what the students qualify for based on their household income.
“If the child is in the free rate, or the free eligibility rating, then they with receive a higher reimbursement for those meals. And then if they’re reduced rate it’s middle-of-the-road reimbursement, and for paid it’s a lesser reimbursement,” said Fiehler.
Fiehler added the agency is always interested in discussing eligibility and adding new centers to their programs. More information can be found at the Kentucky Department of Education CACFP website.