Becoming a CACFP Sponsor

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Becoming a CACFP Sponsor

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a Federal program that set standards and provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks to eligible children and adults. The program plays a vital role in improving the quality of daycare and making it more affordable for many low-income families. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers CACFP through grants to States. The program is administered within most States by the State educational agency. In a few States, it is administered by an alternate agency, such as the State health or social services department. The CACFP reimburses participating centers and day care homes based on meals served. Independent centers and sponsoring organizations receive reimbursement for serving meals to enrolled children that meet Federal nutritional guidelines. Sponsoring organizations operate a "non-profit food service" meaning that all reimbursement received for the CACFP must be used for the CACFP or other federal Child Nutrition Programs.

Comparison Chart of Operating the CACFP as a Family Day Care Home Provider and a Center Sponsor

Interested in becoming a Sponsor?

Interested in becoming a FDCH Provider?

Centers that may become a CACFP Sponsor include: Certified/Licensed Child Care Centers (Commercial), Head Starts, Afterschool At-Risk Programs, Adult Day Cares, Outside School Hours Centers, and Emergency Shelters with residents 18 years old or younger. Organizations that would like to sponsor family day care homes or child care centers will also follow the process below

CACFP Eligibility Quick Check - Use this quick check to determine if your organization may be eligible to become a CACFP Sponsor
CACFP Application Process
Estimate your CACFP Reimbursement
Eligibility Assessment - Complete this assessment to begin the CACFP Application Process

Contact a Family Day Care Home (FDCH) Sponsoring Organization for more information.

FDCH Sponsoring Organizations Contact Information

Child Care Centers

Public or private non-profit child care centers, Head Start programs, and some for-profit centers which are licensed or approved to provide child care may serve meals and snacks to children through age 12 years.

Family Day Care Homes

Public or non-profit organizations with experience in managing Federal programs may be eligible to sponsor licensed or DHS-listed family day care home providers so the providers may receive reimbursement for the meals served to children in care.

Adult Day Care Centers

Public or private non-profit adult day care centers, and for-profit centers if 25 percent of enrolled participants are title XIX or title XX beneficiaries and are approved to provide adult day care in group settings for functionally impaired, disabled adults, or to persons over 60 years old.

Afterschool At-Risk Meals Program

The CACFP Afterschool At-Risk Meals Program is a reimbursement program designed to give school-age children and youth in low-income areas a nutritional boost and involve them in supervised activities that are safe, fun, and educational during the school year. This program is officially known as the At-Risk Program. An after-school program with 100 children could receive over $17,500 each school year for serving snacks and over $70,000 each school year for serving meals.

Emergency Shelters

Emergency shelters, which serve houseless children and their families, can participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs (ODE CNP). Children 18 years or younger are automatically eligible for free meals. There are no application forms for families to fill out. All reimbursable meals must be served in a group setting.