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Applying for CACFP in Arizona: A guide for child care centers
Providing healthy meals for children in care can be expensive. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federally funded initiative through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), helps child care centers provide better care by reimbursing nutritious meals and snacks.
In Arizona, the Department of Education oversees the program, ensuring eligible institutions meet strict CACFP standards. To help you receive federal assistance, we’ve outlined what Arizona child care centers must do to apply for CACFP. Know how you can offer children healthy meals with federal aid below.
Eligibility requirements
Public and public nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, and for-profit centers with 25% of children eligible for subsidized care may qualify for CACFP. Eligibility is based on licensing status, approval to provide child care services, and serving a significant percentage of low-income children.
How child care centers can apply for CACFP in Alabama
Child care centers must complete training and submit their application to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Follow these steps to apply:
Determine eligibility
Verify if your care center is eligible through ADE’s Introduction to the CACFP online training. Afterwards, print the completion certificate for submission.
Submit an Intent to Apply Packet
Once you’ve assessed your eligibility, submit an Intent to Apply packet containing the following documents:
- Permanent Agreement
- Manual – to be printed, signed, and mailed to ADE for approval)
- Electronic – completed, electronically signed, and emailed to signers directly by AdobeSign
- Add/Change/Delete Form
- Manual Form – to be printed, signed, scanned, and emailed
- Electronic Form – to be filled out and electronically signed
- ADEConnect Entity Administrator Account Request
- Nonprofit 501c3 IRS form (if applicable)
- Arizona W-9 Form
- Introduction to CACFP Online Training Certificate
- Three Most Recent Bank Statements
- Unique Entity Identifier (request through SAM.gov)
- ADHS License to Operate
Once you’ve completed your Intent to Apply packet, mail it to the following address
Arizona Department of Education
Health and Nutrition Services Division
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin #7
Phoenix, AZ 85007
After submission, proceed to the next step. The ADE will notify you once they’ve received your packet.
Complete mandatory training
Applicants must complete ADE’s online training on program administration, meal patterns, and food safety. After finishing each training, you’ll receive a certificate which will be submitted in later steps. This training covers the following:
- Civil Rights Compliance
- Nutrition and Meal Documentation
- Program Administration and Recordkeeping
- Infant Feeding (for centers serving infants)
Submit a Management Plan and Budget
Centers must submit a Management Plan and Budget through the CNP system for review and approval by ADE. To do this, you need access to ADE’s online systems, which you’ll receive once your Intent to Apply has been processed. Your Entity Administrator will grant you access to two systems:
- CNP Management Plans and Budgets – for sponsors
- CNPWeb – CAC Center Sponsors
Once you have access, you can complete your management plan and budget.
Management Plan
Your management plan should outline how your center will administer and monitor the CACFP. The ADE will use this information to assess if your center has the administrative capability, accountability, and financial viability to operate the program.
If you need assistance, you can refer to the following resources:
Budget
Your CACFP budget projects the reimbursement amount you’re anticipating and the allowable program expenses you anticipate spending it on. Use the Budget Builder and Projected Reimbursement Calculator for resources.
Pass the Pre-Approval visit by ADE
Once you’ve submitted your Management Plan and Budget, an ADE program specialist will schedule a Pre-Approval Visit to ensure compliance with CACFP regulations and provide any necessary support before official approval.
Submit applications in ADE’s
After approval of the Management Plan and Budget, centers must transfer information into the CNP Web site and Sponsor applications.
Helpful Resources:
Once you’ve submitted all requirements, your assigned program specialist will review them. They’ll request a revision if there are errors. Otherwise, you’ll be approved and ready to run the CACFP.
Reimbursement process
Centers submit the total number of approved meal claims monthly to receive reimbursements. Reimbursements are based on the current rates for the program year 2024-2025
Annual renewal and training
CACFP centers must renew participation annually. Forms and instructions are available on the Renewal Resources webpage. ADE also conducts Administrative Reviews every three years to assess compliance.
Ready to apply?
Start providing nutritious meals to children in your care by joining the CACFP. For any questions and concerns, contact the ADE Health & Nutrition Services (HNS) at (602) 542-8700 or ContactHNS@azed.gov. You can also reach HNS through their HelpDesk or Contact Us page.
Ordo helps child care centers serve CACFP-compliant meals
CACFP guidelines require strict compliance for continued participation. Ordo can help your center serve meals based on CACFP and USDA guidelines, ensuring you provide compliant high quality care and service at no added cost.
Ordo has become America's fastest-growing school food program, providing fresh meals made from scratch every day in our kitchens. Our chefs focus on cooking homestyle food that’s both nutritious and what students love. Healthy meals result in better student outcomes, and administrators who invest in their nutrition programs invest in their schools.
Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 options daily, like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch.
Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks essential metrics like daily participation rate, and handles all payment and order processing. Ordo offers both vended meal service, where we deliver the food every day, and onsite food service management, where our chefs prepare food on campus. We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools. We’ve worked with some of the top brands in early education and child care, including Guidepost Montessori, Bright Horizons, Primrose, and more.
If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.
Never worry about food again
We provide freshly prepared meals and take care of the paperwork so you can focus on what matters.
