Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

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Children eating at a day care
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The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks served to Colorado’s children and adults in child care centers and homes, afterschool programs, emergency and homeless shelters, Head Start, Early Head Start and outside-school-hours programs and adult day care centers. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the CACFP and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment administers the program.

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CACFP Participation in Colorado

View the story map here.  

The Colorado CACFP team, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, developed a story map to show current participation in the Summer Food Service Program and CACFP, and bring to light areas of opportunity to increase access and participation in these vital programs. 

This map can be used to inform strategic outreach efforts to increase access to and participation in these youth feeding programs. Program sponsors and partners can also use this map to identify community assets and areas of opportunity for program expansion.

How to apply to CACFP

Child care centers 

Adult day care centers

Family child care homes

School Food Authorities (SFAs) 

For questions, contact the CACFP office. Learn more about the online application system. 

Log in to the Colorado Nutrition Portal.
Log in to the Colorado Nutrition Portal.
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Active CACFP institutions can view claim due dates here.
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The USDA Child Nutrition Programs are returning to normal operations.

The CACFP is here to offer support during COVID-19. Whether operating a center or child care home, the CACFP can reimburse participating institutions for the meals that they serve to our communities in need. If your institution is interested in applying, please complete this intake form. 

USDA Nationwide Waivers

These nationwide waivers issued by the USDA are based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency.

Public Notice 

According to USDA Policy Bulletin SP 15-2018, CACFP 12-2018, SFSP 05-2018, State Agencies must submit requests to waive Child Nutrition Program requirements to their Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regional office.

Approved: 

Click here to see all waivers submitted to the USDA by the Colorado CACFP office.

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You may join the Child and Adult Care Food Program either as a single-site center or as a sponsor of centers (multiple sites). Learn more here. 

  • Child care centers.

  • Adult day care centers.

  • At-risk afterschool programs.

  • Homeless/emergency shelters.

  • Other early education facilities.

View the CACFP training page and calendar.

  • Learn about CACFP State Training, the At the Table open forum, and webinars and classes offered by local partners. 
  • Find more information on the new Colorado Nutrition Portal

Visit the Materials and Forms page. 

  • Find current reimbursement forms including IEFs, the Household Income Eligibility Guidelines, and reimbursement rates.  
  • Find special diet statements, milk substitution forms, menus, ROMs, and other general template forms. 
  • Also available here are informational guides to reviews and checklists for SOCs. 

Farm to ECE enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food by changing food purchasing and education practices in early care and education settings.

You play a vital role in ensuring the meals and snacks served to children are of the highest quality possible. The Colorado Healthy Meals Initiative promotes simple and practical menu changes that are considerate to cost, implementation, and preparation. Following these recommendations will help reduce sodium, sugar, saturated and trans fat and increase the proportion of whole grains in children’s diets. 

Visit the Colorado Health Meals Initiative page.