The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced revised income eligibility guidelines for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the 2026-2027 school year, affecting students and adults seeking free and reduced-price meal benefits in Kentucky.

The CACFP is a federally funded nutrition program administered in Kentucky by the Department of Education's Division of School and Community Nutrition. The program provides meal support to children and adults in approved care settings, including child care centers, family child care homes, and adult day care facilities.

Income eligibility guidelines determine which families qualify for free meals and which qualify for reduced-price meals under the program. These thresholds are adjusted annually by the USDA to account for inflation and cost-of-living changes. Updated guidelines help school districts and care providers verify eligibility accurately and ensure that eligible participants receive appropriate meal benefits.

Kentucky schools and child care facilities administering the CACFP will use the new guidelines to process meal applications and determine benefit levels for the upcoming school year. Families seeking free or reduced-price meals through the program should submit applications to their child's school or care facility using the updated income thresholds established by the USDA.

The change reflects the USDA's ongoing effort to ensure the program serves low-income students and adults who rely on subsidized meals for adequate nutrition. School districts typically communicate new eligibility guidelines to families during summer registration periods or at the start of the school year, allowing sufficient time for application processing before the first day of classes.