CACFP - I'm Ineligible? Is There Another Option For Me?

[tehck_1013]

I used the food mapper on their website and I'm in a red zone, go figure. I've looked and looked but can't find if there is another option for me. I don't know much about it, and would like to before I will need it for reals. I live in Washington, Pierce county. Without assistance I will have to factor that in my rates and charge more than I plan to, which is good for me I guess but bad for business . Thanks for any info you can give me.

[AmyKidsCo]

What food mapper? I wasn't aware there were any areas of the country that were ineligible.

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I've never heard of that either. I would think Pierce County has something? Did you call your local referral and resource agency?

http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/HRHS/ChildCareAware/Community/PierceCountyReport2009.pdf

Have you contacted this group?

Also found this

http://www.k12.wa.us/ChildNutrition/WINS.aspx

[LysesKids]

Here's the mapper... http://216.55.168.186/FairData/CACFP...nd=scope&map=0

I'm eligible because of a block grant; that's nuts ( I'm tier 1 automatically because of school zone)

[jenboo]

The map is wrong. It says I'm not eligible.... Uh I'm teir 1 because of the schools.

[AmyKidsCo]

From what I can tell that map isn't for the CACFP, it's for the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option - the programs that provide free meals for children under 18 at elementary schools.

I'd contact whoever handles CACFP in your area to see for sure.

[TwinKristi]

Yeah map is wrong. I'm on Tier 1 and it says my address isn't. And we have a free lunch program for the summer right around the corner too.

[tehck_1013]

Yeah I was really surprised that it said that because i am smack dab in the middle of 3 different schools, all three within 5 blocks.

[Meeko]

Yep...it's wrong. Says I'm not eligible and in fact I am Tier 1.

[tehck_1013]

Thanks ladies. I guess I'm not the only one. I really thought I would most definitely be in a spot that would be eligible so I'm going to call them to see for sure. Obviously they need to update or something.

[Blackcat31]

Thanks ladies. I guess I'm not the only one. I really thought I would most definitely be in a spot that would be eligible so I'm going to call them to see for sure. Obviously they need to update or something.

http://www.mdcfoodprogram.com/cacfp.html

This says: "The Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) is a non-profit Community Action Partnership. Since inception in 1964, MDC has provided high quality services to Tacoma / Pierce County residents."

So it sounds like you qualify if you live in that county and are a licensed program.

The link has a tab for new providers with the info on where to go and who to call to get started.

HTH