The Wyoming Department of Education has announced the participating Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) organizations in the state, including several participants in Park County.

The program reimburses participating organizations for nutritious meals and snacks served to children in child care centers and family day care homes. The program teaches good eating habits and assures that well-balanced, nourishing meals are served in these participating centers.

Organizations are reimbursed for meals provided to children who are up to 12 years of age. The same meals must be made available to all enrolled children at no separate charge regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. There is no discrimination in the course of the meal service, according to the Department of Education.

Centers are reimbursed for meals that are served at their center. Completing the income application helps the center receive meal reimbursement for the meals they serve. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), foster children, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and eligibility based on household income qualify for the reimbursements, as defined by the USDA Eligibility Guidelines.

For more information, contact Judy DiRienzo, Wyoming Department of Education Nutrition Section, at 307-777-6262 or judith.dirienzo@wyo.gov.

Program participants in Park County include The Learning Garden in Powell, Absaroka Head Start in Powell and Cody and Winsor Castle Daycare & Preschool, A Little Paradise Childcare Center, The Crane Academy and True North Academy, all in Cody. Participants in Big Horn County include the Absaroka Head Start programs in Lovell and Basin, plus the Shooting Star Academy.