Use census data to determine area eligibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Summer Seamless Option (SSO). Census data may be used to determine area eligibility for CACFP day care homes and certain SFSP, SSO, and ASCP sites. Eligibility is established when census data indicates that at least 50 percent of the children residing in the area are members of households that meet the income standards for free or reduced-price meals.

CACFP day care homes and SFSP, SSO, and ASCP sites may be determined area eligible using either Census Block Groups (CBGs) or Census Tracts. Census Tracts are geographical units that consist of one or more CBGs. Additionally; based on analysis of the proposed location, with both Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional Office (RO) approval, up to three adjacent CBGs may be averaged, using a weighted average, to determine eligibility. One of the up to three CGBs must include the CBG where the day care home or site is located.

Therefore, CACFP day care homes and SFSP, SSO, and ASCP sites are considered area eligible if:

• 50 percent or more of the children in a CBG are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals; 
• 50 percent or more of the children in a Census Tract are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals; or
• The percentage of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals in up to three adjacent CBGs when averaged is 50 percent or more, provided that at least 40 percent of children in each of the combined CBGs are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, as described above.

 Area eligibility determinations based on census data are effective for five years.