Texas Promoted Expanded Access to Nutrition Program
State families can access free, USDA-approved meals through over 12,000 local childcare and adult day care centers.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Child Care
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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has highlighted the availability of the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program provides roughly 200 million nutritious meals and snacks annually across the state.
Why it matters
The program supports healthy household habits by ensuring affordable access to balanced nutrition for children and adults. By leveraging these federally supported services, families can reduce food costs while ensuring their loved ones receive USDA-compliant meals.
The program operates at over 12,000 sites in Texas, serving 200 million meals annually. Recipients of SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, Medicaid, or SSI benefits automatically qualify for free meals.
The players
Sid Miller
As the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, he oversees the state department managing this federally funded food program.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This federal agency establishes the nutritional standards that all meals provided through this state program must meet.
The details
Participating childcare and adult day care centers provide these meals at no extra charge when they are included in tuition. Afterschool programs also extend free meal service to all participants, and eligibility is managed directly through the local centers themselves.
Timeline
Annually: CACFP partners serve 200 million meals and snacks.
The Home Front
This program functions as a critical component of state-level efforts to bridge nutritional gaps for families in childcare settings. It aligns with broader federal initiatives to integrate food security directly into the daily logistics of family life.
Families interested in accessing these meals should inquire with their childcare or adult day care provider about enrollment. You can identify participating facilities in your area by calling 877-TEX-MEAL.
The takeaway
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a reliable resource for securing nutritious, USDA-compliant meals in a childcare setting. Families should verify if their current provider participates in the program to see if they are eligible for these benefits.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in our Child Care section.
More information
If you experience issues with program access, you can review the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kilgore News Herald.
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