Child and Adult Care Food Program · Virginia
Virginia CACFP — State Agency and Federal Program References
Virginia participates in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) under USDA Food and Nutrition Service rules. The program is administered locally by Virginia Department of Health, Special Nutrition Programs. Below are its published contact links, general federal participation categories, and USDA meal-pattern references. Application steps, training, deadlines, and required records can vary; confirm the current process on the official agency page.
Virginia CACFP State Agency
- Agency
- Virginia Department of Health
- Division
- Special Nutrition Programs
- Phone
- (877) 618-7282
- Official CACFP page
- https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/cacfp/
- FNS Region
- Mid-Atlantic Regional Office — USDA FNS Mid-Atlantic
Who Can Participate in CACFP in Virginia
Federal CACFP rules cover several facility and participant categories. Eligibility can depend on organization type, licensing or approval, program structure, participant status, and state requirements. Common categories include:
- Child care centers, including eligible public, nonprofit, and qualifying for-profit centers.
- Family day care homes operating through an approved sponsoring organization.
- Head Start and Early Head Start programs that meet CACFP participation requirements.
- At-risk afterschool programs that meet federal area-eligibility and program requirements.
- Emergency shelters serving children and youth experiencing homelessness.
- Outside-school-hours care centers that meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
- Adult day care centers operating non-residential programs for functionally impaired or older adults.
Where to Confirm Virginia CACFP Application Steps
Because state procedures can change, this guide does not reproduce a state-specific application workflow. Use the official agency page and contact information above for the current process.
- Confirm whether your organization would apply as an independent center, sponsoring organization, or participating facility and which eligibility rules apply.
- Review the current instructions published on the VDH CACFP page, including any current deadlines or pre-application steps.
- Ask the agency which application method, training, licenses, agreements, and supporting records apply to your organization.
- Follow the agency's current instructions and obtain all required approvals before claiming CACFP meals.
USDA CACFP Meal Patterns Used in Virginia
CACFP meals are generally planned under federal, age-specific meal patterns. Approved substitutions, accommodations, and state or sponsor instructions may also apply. Pick an age group below for the federal reference table, then confirm current requirements with the administering agency.
Infants Birth through 5 Months
0-5 months · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Infants 6 through 11 Months
6-11 months · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Children Ages 1-2
1-2 · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Children Ages 3-5
3-5 · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Children Ages 6-12
6-12 · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Participants Ages 13-18
13-18 · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Adult Participants
Adults · Breakfast, lunch/supper, snack
Federal Review and Monitoring References
Federal CACFP rules establish state-agency review and sponsoring- organization monitoring duties. The timing, scope, and records reviewed can depend on the institution or facility type and its circumstances.
Check the current 7 CFR part 226 and VDH's official guidance for the requirements that apply to your operation.
Need summer meals in Virginia?
CACFP covers year-round care. When school is out, Virginia sponsors often also run the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or sun-meals non-congregate service. See the Virginia SFSP state page for the state agency and current summer-meal guidance.
Prepare CACFP menu drafts for your Virginia site
CrEATe is a free U.S. CACFP planning workspace. Build breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack drafts, review configured meal-pattern gaps, and prepare production-record drafts. Confirm Virginia-specific requirements with your sponsor and state agency.