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City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) ensures nutritious meals to over 4.5 million children and adults every day. The CACFP is mainly operated in child care centers, family child care homes, and afterschool care programs, but did you know that emergency shelters can also serve meals through the food program?

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Gardening with Children

Introducing children to gardening can be an enriching experience that fosters a love for nature and promotes an acceptance of healthy foods. The Institute of Child Nutrition’s Mealtime Memo discusses how to engage children in gardening activities to increase their knowledge and acceptance of healthy, local foods.

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The Power of the Food Program: Emergency Shelters

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) ensures nutritious meals to over 4.5 million children and adults every day. The CACFP is mainly operated in child care centers, family child care homes, and afterschool care programs, but did you know that emergency shelters can also serve meals through the food program?

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Emergency Response

Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have developed resources to support community providers and caregivers who serve families and help children face challenges, big and small. When a natural disaster strikes or there is an act of violence in the community, caregivers and providers look for the right thing to say or do.

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Voters Want Support For Child Care

The lack of affordable, quality child care is a major area of concern across all demographics, family structures, and income levels in the United States. In fact, it’s the biggest challenge that parents want their elected officials to know about, as parents need child care to support their children’s physical health, emotional well-being, and development of life-long skills.

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Guac ‘n’ Roll: Avocado Inspirations for Your Menu ($15)

Get ready to Guac ‘n’ Roll in the kitchen! We’re celebrating National Avocado Day in July by exploring the versatility of this #CACFPCreditable vegetable. We’ll provide you with tips, benefits, and inspiration for recipes to spark your creativity and seamlessly integrate this nutrient-rich green gem into your menus. Avoca-don’t stress and let the avocado take center stage with some nutritious and delicious creations!

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What’s Causing the Inequity in Reimbursement for Centers Vs. Homes 

CACFP reimbursement rates were recently released for the 2024-2025 program year. While rates increased for both centers and family child care homes, you may have noticed that centers received a larger reimbursement bump than homes. This is a result of changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which is a measure, estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the average change over time in the prices of goods and services.

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Better Together Family Cafes

As a child care provider, you are dedicated to the health and well-being of children. While the care that you provide for these children is crucial, their interactions and experiences at home are just as important. Having a strong relationship with families can have a positive impact on the well-being of those in your care. Our partners at Nemours have developed Better Together Family Cafes as an effective family engagement model.

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