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.
How to apply to CACFP
Child and adult care centers
- Use this cost-benefit tool to see how your program can benefit from CACFP participation.
- Complete the CACFP New Applicant Intake Form.
- Interested in enrolling under a sponsor? Contact a sponsoring organization to determine if a sponsor is right for your center.
Family child care homes
- Use this cost-benefit tool to see how your child care home can benefit from CACFP participation.
- Contact a sponsoring organization.
For questions, contact the CACFP office.
When School’s Out: A comparison of child nutrition options (Afterschool Snack Program, CACFP’s afterschool program, and the Summer Food Service Program).
Colorado Nutrition Portal
COVID-19
The CACFP is here to offer support during COVID-19. Whether operating a center or day 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.
These nationwide waivers issued by the USDA in response to COVID-19 are based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency.
- At-a-glance information about the nationwide waivers.
- Frequently asked questions about CACFP operations during COVID-19.
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.
Click here to see all waivers submitted to the USDA by the Colorado CACFP office.
The following waivers are still pending:
Eligibility requirements
Child care centers, family day care homes, or other early education facilities serving:
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Infants and children through age 12.
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Children of migrant workers through age 15.
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Centers that provide care for physically and mentally disabled people where most children are 18 and younger.
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Daycare facilities that serve adults in a nonresidential setting.
CACFP training
Sign up for one of our free training classes. Watch videos and learn more.
CDPHE and Cooking Matters Collaborative Training.
Manuals and policies
CHEARS and CNP manuals and guides, policy updates.
Materials and forms
Record of meals served, child and adult menus and production records, list of items for centers, civil rights materials.
Meal patterns
Find new information on meal pattern requirements. They are now better matched with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
School Food Authority
A School Food Authority (SFA) is the administering unit for the operation of a school feeding program, such as NSLP or SFSP. The application process for an SFA has streamlined requirements.
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE)
Getting kids in care programs to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and garden produce.
Colorado's Healthier Meals Initiative
Tools for meeting higher nutritional standards.
Bits and Bites newsletter archive
CACFP newsletter - for copies of earlier issues, please contact the CACFP office at 303-692-2330.
Civil Rights Information
Emergency feeding resources
Resources
Related programs, partners, and child nutrition resources.