Under federal program guidelines, a family child care home can only participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) if they have an agreement with an eligible sponsoring organization. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints, many sponsoring organizations have been forced to drop out of the program, leaving only three active sponsors in Vermont. These organizations are facing critical financial challenges that limit their ability to continue operating as CACFP sponsors.

The Alliance supports Hunger Free Vermont’s request for $182,000 in base funding in the FY27 Budget for Vermont’s CACFP sponsor organizations. This funding is critical for supporting the current CACFP sponsoring organizations and incentivizing more organizations to become sponsors, so that more child care providers can participate in CACFP and more young children can have access to nutritious meals.

Lead Organization: Hunger Free Vermont

Data and Talking Points

• Only 50% of FCCHs in Vermont participate in CACFP