A new, interactive map explores participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, among family child care homes across California and highlights opportunities to expand access to nutritious meals for young children. Administered in California by the California Department of Social Services, CACFP reimburses child care providers for serving healthy meals and snacks that meet federal nutrition standards. Yet participation among family child care homes has declined since 2017. As of October 2023, just 46% of licensed family child care homes participated statewide—despite higher reimbursement rates for providers in low-income communities.
The map overlays CACFP participation with food insecurity, low-income and low-food-access areas, and other indicators of need. The map identifies “hot spots” where many providers operate in high-need communities but do not participate in CACFP—revealing clear opportunities to strengthen food security and financial support for providers. County spotlights in Ventura, San Bernardino, and Sacramento illustrate how expanded participation could better support children in areas facing food insecurity and limited food access.
Explore the interactive map to see where CACFP expansion could make the greatest impact for California families.
This map was created with support from the California Department of Social Services, Child and Adult Care Food Program Branch in partnership with the Nutrition Policy Institute and Informatics and GIS Program at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Berkeley, CACFP Roundtable and CDSS Community Care Licensing Division.