Participation is Easy!
Daily Tasks
Monthly Tasks
Yearly Tasks
Record menus
Record meal counts
Record Attendance
Submit claim documents by the 5th of each month to Mealtime Matters Nutrition Services and get paid through direct deposit
Collect annual childcare enrollment forms for new families
Collect annual income eligibility forms for new families
Collect annual childcare enrollment forms
Collect annual income eligibility forms
Renew catering and procurement documentation (if applicable)
Complete required CACFP training for all center staff
How much can I earn?
Payment amount will depend on the type and number of meals you serve, the number of children in care and the incomes of the families you serve. Rates are calculated based on completed income eligibility forms. Reimbursement rates are updated every July and are determined by USDA. *Mealtime Matters Nutrition Services retains up to 15% of reimbursement to cover administrative costs.
Breakfast
Free
$2.54
Lunch/Supper
*$4.76
Snack
$1.30
Breakfast
Reduced
$2.24
Lunch/Supper
*$4.36
Snack
$0.65
Breakfast
Paid
$0.42
Breakfast
*$0.45
Snack
$0.12
Current child care center rates in effect from 7/01/2026 - 6/30/2027
Centers may claim up to two meals and a snack or two snacks and a meal per child per day.
* An additional 32 cents is added for Cash-in-Lieu to the rate for each lunch/supper served.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
