Cash in Lieu rates have been published for FY 25-26

The long-awaited Cash in Lieu rates have been published in the Federal Register and on USDA FNS website.

"Notice is hereby given that the national average minimum value of donated foods, or cash in lieu thereof, per lunch under the NSLP (7 CFR part 210) and per lunch and supper under the CACFP (7 CFR part 226) shall be 30.50 cents for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026."

What is Cash in Lieu?

There are donated commodities by the federal government, purchased by USDA, for specific types of foods. Learn more here. States can opt to receive money at a national average value, in place of these donated foods. This is called Cash in Lieu. When this provision was stated in statute, the Richard B. Russel National School Lunch Act, it was 11 cents. It has been adjusted every year, in July, since then, according the Consumer Price Index. That process is explained here. Cash in Lieu reimbursements are received by child care centers (excluding family child care site), afterschool at-risk, emergency shelters, and adult day health services centers.

FY25-26 CACFP Reimbursement Rates

The federal CACFP reimbursement rates for FY 2025 - 2026 can be found on our blog and on the USDA FNS website.

Always love to hear from you, let me know questions, thoughts, or experiences! samantha@cacfproundtable.org.

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