1. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Recording and Maintaining Meal Counts

2. Meal Counts
Our agency is reimbursed for the number of meals and snacks it serves to CACFP enrolled children each day
Meal counts must be recorded daily at the time of each meal or snack service, or immediately after
This is called the Point of Service Meal Count
Our agency is reimbursed for the number of meals and snacks served to CACFP-enrolled children each day. To properly claim these meals and snacks, meal counts must be recorded either at the time of each meal or snack service, or immediately after. This is called the Point of Service Meal Count.

3. Point of Service Meal Count Procedure: Completing Meal Counts1 2 3 4 5 6
Add up the number of children provided with a complete CACFP reimbursable meal or snack
Total = 6
When completing the time of service meal count you will add up the number of children who are sitting at the table and have been offered a complete CACFP reimbursable meal or snack. In this example, there are 6 children sitting and eating the meal.

4. Meal Counts Cannot Be…
Based on computerized or manual attendance records
This does not meet the definition of a Point of Service Meal Count
Meal counts must be completed at the time of service. They cannot be based on computerized or manual attendance records that assume children have been served a meal based on times of attendance. This does not meet the definition of a point of service meal count and must not be used as the source for determining the number of meals and snacks served to children.

5. Meal Counts Cannot Be…
Recorded based on the number of children expected to eat a meal or snack
Example: The cook is provided with the number of children in attendance in the morning and is going to prepare the meal based this number. This number cannot be transferred to the meal count form for each meal or snack that day. Children do unexpectedly leave and/or arrive throughout the day.
Meal counts also cannot be recorded based on the number of children expected to eat a meal or snack. For example, if the cook is provided with the number of children he/she should prepare a meal or snack for, this number cannot be transferred to the meal count form. Children do unexpectedly leave or arrive throughout the day.

6. Non-Discrimination Statement (NDS)
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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: 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) 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
Washington, D.C ;
(2) Fax: (202) ; or
(3)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.