Welcome
As a day care provider, you can offer special opportunities for providing happy, relaxed experiences by helping children develop positive food attitudes, building children’s confidence and building their social skills. You can also encourage children to eat nutritious foods and to try new foods. Preparing fresh, attractive foods will help ensure that the children eat well while in childcare. A variety of positive food experiences and activities can help develop good eating habits and food preferences. As a LUNCH Program provider, you will be trained in nutrition and various other helpful areas of caring for children in the home. You are already proud of the service you provide for these children and their parents, now you can be reimbursed for some of the money you have already been spending on nutritious meals for the children in your care.
Who does the LUNCH Program sponsor?
The LUNCH Program sponsors individuals who are caring for children ages birth through twelve (12) years old, migrant children age fifteen (15) and younger and functionally impaired adults in the day care provider’s home. The parent/guardian of these individuals must be working, in school or enrolled in a training program for the child/person to qualify to be enrolled in the program. In Louisiana you may only enroll six (6) people in the program, this includes any resident child under 13 years old.
What is the CACFP?
The CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) is a reimbursement program designed to ensure that children in day care receive nutritious meals and to help establish healthy eating habits needed throughout their life.
What is in it for me?
Our agency will reimburse day care providers for nutritious meals served to children in their care. These food payments will help cover the cost of providing these meals. The amount of reimbursement received varies depending on the type and number of meals served.
How do I qualify?
If you are caring for at least one child (or qualified person) in your home who does not reside in the home, you should qualify.
How much will I be reimbursed?
The amount will vary depending on the number of children enrolled, the types of meals claimed and the number of meals claimed.
The LUNCH Program operates in eleven (11) parishes (counties) in Louisiana. We currently serve providers in Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and West Baton Rouge parishes. Every parish in the state has a sponsor of the program. No matter where you live, you can apply for the program. You may contact the Louisiana Department of Education for a list of current sponsors at (225) 342-3997.