The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimburses participating childcare centers, family day care homes, and at-risk afterschool programs for the meals and snacks they serve to eligible children. Rates are adjusted annually each July based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for food. The 2026-2027 program year runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Status of the 2026-2027 Rates
As of this page's last update, the official 2026-2027 CACFP reimbursement rates have not yet been published by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. New rates are typically announced in the Federal Register in spring, ahead of the July 1 effective date.
This page will be updated with the confirmed center rates, family day care home tier rates, at-risk afterschool rates, and cash-in-lieu of commodities figures as soon as USDA publishes them. Bookmark this page or check back in late spring 2026.
Center Reimbursement Rates (July 2026 – June 2027)
For childcare centers participating in CACFP, reimbursement is paid per meal, per child, based on the child's eligibility category (free, reduced-price, or paid). The three-meal-per-day reimbursement total for a free-eligible child typically exceeds $8 per day, before cash-in-lieu of commodities.
| Meal Type | Free | Reduced-Price | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Lunch / Supper | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Snack | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Rates effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. To be confirmed by USDA. Official source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
For comparison and historical context, see the 2025-2026 center reimbursement rates →.
Free / Reduced-Price / Paid: How Eligibility Works
Each enrolled child falls into one of three reimbursement categories, determined by household income relative to federal poverty guidelines:
- Free — Household income at or below 130% of the federal poverty guideline.
- Reduced-Price — Household income between 130% and 185% of the federal poverty guideline.
- Paid — Household income above 185% of the federal poverty guideline.
The federal poverty guidelines used for the 2026-2027 program year are typically released by HHS in January 2026 and applied to enrollment paperwork collected during the program year. Many NYC childcare programs serving low-income families have 80%+ free-eligible enrollment.
Family Day Care Home Rates
Family Day Care Homes (FDCHs) are reimbursed under a tiered rate system. Tier I FDCHs — homes in lower-income areas or where the provider's own household income qualifies — are reimbursed at higher per-meal rates. Tier II FDCHs receive lower base rates with the option to elect higher rates for individual qualifying children.
Official 2026-2027 FDCH rates will be posted here once USDA publishes them. For current Tier I and Tier II rates through June 30, 2026, see the USDA reimbursement rates page.
At-Risk Afterschool Program Rates
At-Risk Afterschool meals and snacks continue to be reimbursed at the free rate regardless of household income, as long as the program operates in an eligible area. This is one of the most underutilized CACFP funding streams in NYC, and the area-eligibility rule means it remains valuable for programs serving across mixed-income neighborhoods.
Cash-in-Lieu of Commodities
Centers receive an additional cash payment per lunch and supper served, in place of the commodity foods historically distributed to participating programs. The cash-in-lieu rate is published separately by USDA and adjusted annually for July 1 effective date.
How CACFP Rates Change Each Year
CACFP reimbursement rates are adjusted annually by USDA based on the food-at-home Consumer Price Index. The new rates are published in the Federal Register each spring and take effect on July 1, applying through June 30 of the following year. Year-over-year changes are typically a few percent in either direction, tracking grocery food inflation.
For NYC centers planning their 2026-2027 fiscal year, expect the new rates to fall within roughly +/- 5% of the 2025-2026 figures. Healthy Heart updates this page as soon as official figures are published.
Planning Your 2026-2027 Program
Even before the official rates are published, NYC childcare directors can prepare for the new program year by:
- Distributing updated household income eligibility forms to parents in late spring
- Verifying that civil rights training is current for all staff (renewable annually)
- Updating CACFP agreement renewal with your sponsor
- Reviewing menu cycles against current CACFP meal pattern requirements
- Cleaning up prior-year documentation in line with the 3-year retention rule