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 begin the application process:
- Complete the CACFP New Applicant Intake Form.
- Contact a Sponsoring Organization if you are a licensed family child care home or are interested in enrolling under a sponsor.
- Use this cost-benefit tool to see how your program can benefit from CACFP participation.
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 (CNP)
Coronavirus Disease (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.
For additional information about this pandemic and the resources available in Colorado, please refer to this list of reputable websites as a guide.
The USDA Nationwide Waivers
These nationwide waivers have been issued by the USDA in response to COVID-19 and 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:
CACFP training
Sign up for one of our free training classes. Watch videos and learn more.
Check out our new Quick Bitestraining videos covering everything from food safety to time management.
CDPHE and Cooking Matters Collaborative Training.
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.
CHOP - Cooking up Healthy Options with Plants (CHOP)
Getting kids in care programs to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and garden produce.
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.
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.
Eligibility requirements
Who can participate
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.
Civil rights information
Emergency feeding resources
Resources
Related programs, partners, and child nutrition resources.