[Cacfp] NEW Local Foods Opportunity for CACFP- CORRECTED SURVEY LINK!

[Taylor, April]

***Please see below for a corrected survey link!***

On December 10, 2024, USDA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity<https://www.usda.gov/article/usda-announces-availability-113-billion-local-food-programs> (NOFO) for State agencies to access funds to purchase and distribute local foods for CACFP operators. The goal of this opportunity is to strengthen local and regional food systems, broaden partnerships with childcare institutions and local food networks, and ensure the use of fresh and nutritious foods in program meals.
Maine anticipates receiving $536,000 in funding for local foods for CACFP!

  *   This is a 3-year grant period.
  *   Maine currently has a little over 400 CACFP family childcare providers and about 186 CACFP center sites.
  *   Individual provider/site funding will likely be based on data regarding number of meals/snacks served in October.
  *   Individual providers/sites will have the option to "opt in/opt out" of program funding.
  *   Programs will receive reimbursement for the purchases of 'minimally processed' local foods- programs will not receive the money up front.
  *   Claims for reimbursement for local foods purchases will be submitted through an online software program called "Grants for ME".
  *   Claiming reimbursement for these funds will involve submitting dated, itemized receipts as well as information about products and producers.
  *   We hope to start this program in summer or fall of 2025.
As we make plans for applying for and distributing these funds, we need your feedback!
How this program is established here in Maine will depend on a variety of factors, such as: sponsor/provider/site capacity to file claims for reimbursement in a new system, provider/center needs/desires for local foods, availability of local foods, distribution of local foods, etc.
Please complete the following short survey:  https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTjkRg43GkTRGl8oKaTh8Y-JUOUo3TzlRWE1YMjJQTEowWldMQURIME01SiQlQCNjPTEkJUAjdD1n   by January 22nd, 2025 to give us your input on this exciting new local foods opportunity for CACFP!






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