What makes centers choose your program?

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We provide hot meals delivered straight from our stove to the centers. There are very few programs that send fresh homemade-style meals prepared and delivered daily. As a child care center, we understand the challenge of receiving frozen meals that need to be cooked because you lose the ratio. Our goal is to make sure that you can effectively supervise and educate children while providing them with meals that are both tasty and healthy, full of the nutrients necessary for the proper development. Also, we provide fresh fruits and vegetables, homestyle baby food, and holiday meals. Our chef always gives her direct number to all the partners for any questions throughout the day!

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What makes your meals healthy?

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• Children get a great variety of different meals

• All our food is either made from scratch or purchased with a proper Child Nutrition Label​

• All the lunches are cooked the same day and arrive to the center hot and ready to serve

• We only serve real fruits and vegetables - no canned goods and no mixes with corn syrup

• All the meals consist of 5 components: protein, grains, two or more different vegetables or a fruit and a vegetable, and milk

• Upon request, we can even serve soup (additional fees apply)

• Baby food is homemade which ensures fresh ingredients and appropriate proportions

• There is at least one whole grain component a day

• We limit sugar and do not use a fryer

• AM snacks consist of two components which vary daily

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Do we have to cook or bake anything?

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No. Some meals might require washing (ex. Apples) or light prep (ex. spread tuna salad on bread), but none of the meals require actual cooking.

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How can your meals be reimbursable?

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USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers CACFP through grants to States. The program is administered within most States by the State educational agency. In a few States it is administered by an alternate agency, such as the State health or social services department. The child care component and the adult day care component of CACFP may be administered by different agencies within a State, at the discretion of the Governor. Independent centers and sponsoring organizations enter into agreements with their administering State agencies to assume administrative and financial responsibility for CACFP operations. CACFP serves nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers (Ann Kids may provide only to centers, not day care homes).

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What is CACFP?

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USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. Each day, 3.3 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals and snacks to 120,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. CACFP reaches even further to provide meals to children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks and suppers to youths participating in eligible afterschool care programs. CACFP is authorized at section 17 of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766). Program regulations are issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under 7 CFR part 226.

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What do you mean by a CACFP Sponsor to Sponsor Agreement?

 

We take care of all the cooking, and you take care of just the paperwork. We will guide you through the whole process to make it smooth and easy.

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How do the meals arrive?

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The meals arrive once a day: lunch, supper, and AM snack for the next day. Hot meals are delivered in aluminum foil trays that are kept in insulated containers to keep the temperature. All the refrigerated items are kept in coolers. Each center has an assigned driver who arrives every day at approximately the same time. Upon arrival, drivers use their infrared thermometers to check the temperature. Center staff receives an invoice, which he or she checks and signs that all the menu items arrived. Sometimes menu items may be substituted (if a distributor was out of a certain product). If a substitution takes place, it is marked on the invoice and center staff should mark it on the menu for parents to see. 

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Do we get milk for every meal?

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Yes, milk must be served with every meal. One-year-olds must receive whole milk. Children from two years and up must receive low-fat or fat-free milk. ​

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How often does the menu change?

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The menu rotates every three weeks. However, our Chef likes to add new and delicious recipes. Also, we make the necessary adjustments any time USDA requirements change. For customized menus, you can change them as often as necessary.

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What if we have a child with dietary restrictions?

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If a child has a disabling dietary need, then we can make meal substitutions. If a child has milk intolerance, we can provide lactose-free milk. For dietary restrictions that are not health-related, substitutions are available at an additional cost.

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What if we do not like something on the menu?

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We are happy to discuss alternative menu options.

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Is my center eligible to participate in your reimbursable Sponsor to Sponsor program?

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In order to be eligible for Ann Kids Sponsor to Sponsor Program centers must:

• be a licensed day care center

• if for-profit, receive title XX funds (CCIS or Head Start) for at least 25 percent of enrolled children or licensed capacity (whichever is less) or at least 25 percent of the children in care are eligible for free and reduced price meals

• successfully pass pre-enrollment center inspection

• become a CACFP Sponsor (we guide you through the whole process)

• sign an Agreement with Ann Kids​​​​

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How can you tell whether children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals?

 

Eligibility may be established by submission of an income eligibility statement, which provides information about family size and income. The information submitted by each household is compared with USDA's Income Eligibility Guidelines. Children whose families receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or State programs funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are categorically eligible for free meals. Children who are participants of Head Start or Even Start programs are automatically eligible for free meals, without further application or eligibility determination. Foster children, who are the responsibility of the State or placed by the court, and children who are experiencing homelessness, are also automatically eligible for free meals.​​

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What our center is not eligible for this CACFP program?

 

You still have the catering option that starts from $8.85 per day per child and includes two meals and a snack. 

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What is a pre-enrollment center inspection?

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Prior to accepting you into our program, we must visit your site and make sure that you will follow all the CACFP requirements. The center must be clean and organized according to all the DHS regulations. ​​​​​​

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What if we have more questions?

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We are there for you and happy to help with any questions! You can always call the Chef or email us at Catering@AnnKids.com

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