The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is accepting applications from public and private institutions to participate in the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Child care centers, adult day care centers, day care homes, schools and emergency shelters may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which currently provides nutritious meals to more than 15,600 participants daily at 610 locations statewide, through 95 locally-sponsored programs. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The federal funds allow the centers to provide nutritious meals and snacks at no separate charge to infants, young children, and adults receiving services, as well as to infants and children living in emergency shelters.

Sponsoring institutions serve meals at no separate charge to all participants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation. 

RIDE reimburses programs for each meal served, according to predetermined Department of Agriculture reimbursement rates based on the income levels of the families that the programs serve.