The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) requests City Council approval to apply for and receive a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition (F&N) for the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CAFCP). If approved, the Ordinance will authorize the Director or his designee to act as the City's representative in the application process, to accept such grant funds if awarded, and to apply for and accept subsequent awards pertaining to the program for a period of five years from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2027. The deadline to submit the grant application is August 30, 2022.
The amount requested for the 2022 - 2023 program year is $760,590 to serve approximately 1,000 average daily meals and 1,000 average daily snacks at approximately 60 eligible sites. However, the program will authorize additional reimbursements if additional meals and snacks are served. No matching funds are required. For the five program years of Fiscal Years 2022 – FY2027, we are requesting a total of up to $4,038,930.00 in grant funding.
The purpose of CACFP is to ensure youth 18 years old and younger continue to receive nutritious meals after school instructional hours. Free meals and snacks that meet Federal nutrition guidelines are served at TDA-approved sites such as community centers, churches, apartment complexes, public libraries, YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs as long as State funding is available, and HPARD continues to be an eligible entity to manage such funds. The program is also offered at HPARD's 49 Community Centers in conjunction with the After-School Enrichment Program for youth. To be eligible to participate, the site must be zoned to a school that has 51% or more of students receiving free or reduced lunch.
Funds received through this grant are used for food service cost (meals, snacks, packaging and delivery) and program administration and operating cost including mileage reimbursement, fringe benefits, supplies and copy services. All sites must reapply every year for review by TDA. Eligible sites must complete the following steps for TDA approval to participate in the program:
- The site must complete a site application and sponsor agreement which includes the site eligibility and participation information.
- The site returns the completed request to participate to the CACFP staff.
- The qualifying school that the site is zoned to must be verified through the school district website or district office, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report printed for submission with the site application.
- CACFP staff submit the site application through the TDA Texas Unified Nutrition Programs System (TX UNPS) website.
- TDA reviews site application and approves site, typically within 2 weeks.
Fiscal Note: No fiscal note required for grant items.
Director's Signature:
____________________________
Kenneth Allen, Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department