Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is encouraging Texans to consider the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federally funded initiative the Texas Department of Agriculture administers at more than 12,000 sites statewide, according to an Oct. 2 news release.
The program operates at adult day care centers, childcare facilities, home-based day cares and afterschool programs, the agency said. CACFP meals are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, must meet specific nutrition standards and may include Texas products, according to the release.
Miller said in the release that participants receive nutritious meals that set the table for a lifetime of healthy habits. He said CACFP partners serve about 200 million meals and snacks each year that meet USDA nutrition standards and align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and that he wants families to use the resource and support the people serving the food.
At facilities where meals are included in tuition, enrolled participants receive meals at no additional charge, the agency said. Eligible at-risk afterschool programs provide free meals to all participants.
According to the release, children in households receiving SNAP, TANF, Early Head Start, Head Start, Even Start or FDPIR benefits are automatically eligible for free meals, as are foster children placed by the state or courts and adults receiving SNAP, FDPIR, Medicaid or SSI benefits. Others may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income.
For the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the agency listed income limits by household size. A household of four qualifies for free meals at an annual income of $42,900 or less and for reduced-price meals at $61,050 or less, while a single-person household qualifies at $20,748 or less for free meals and $29,526 or less for reduced-price meals. For each additional family member, the limits rise by $7,384 for free meals and $10,508 for reduced-price meals, according to the release.
Families can find participating centers or day care homes by calling (877) TEX-MEAL, or (877) 839-6325, the agency said. Meals are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, according to the release.