Applying for CACFP in Louisiana: What child care centers need to know

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded initiative under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program provides financial assistance to child care centers, enabling them to serve nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care and support their wellness and healthy development.

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In Louisiana, CACFP is administered by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Division of Nutrition Support. They oversee the application process and monthly reimbursements and ensure compliance with federal nutritional guidelines.

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To help your child care center apply for CACFP, we’ll break down what you need to know to get started—from the eligibility criteria and application process to the reimbursement requirements.

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Eligibility requirements

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Child care centers interested in joining CACFP must meet specific eligibility criteria. Below are the primary requirements:

• Eligible public or private nonprofit
• For-profit child care centers -  These must demonstrate that at least 25% of the children in their care qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

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Additionally, the CACFP benefits are available for children from birth through 12 years old.

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How to apply for CACFP in Louisiana for child care centers

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Eligible child care centers must enter an official agreement with the LDOE to assume responsibility for CACFP operations.

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The process for applying to CACFP in Louisiana involves several steps, which can take approximately 6-8 weeks to complete. Here is a detailed guide to help your child care center navigate the process:

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Complete the required training modules

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Applying child care centers must first complete a series of online training modules (except modules 6 and 8) to understand CACFP’s requirements and procedures. Each module covers key topics such as meal planning, finances, and civil rights compliance. Training resources include:

• Module 1: Introduction
• Module 2: Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
• Module 3: Enrollment
• Module 4: Meal Planning
• Module 5: Finances
• Module 7: Claiming
• Module 9: Civil Rights
• Module 10: Serious Deficiency

The LDOE advises having multiple staff members complete the training to help share the responsibilities and understanding of the program.

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Notify the State CACFP office

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After completing the training modules, email the State CACFP office (Tammy.Bloyed@la.gov) to notify the LDOE of your interest. Once received, you will be emailed an information packet that outlines the next steps in the application process.

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Complete the Information Packet

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The information packet includes all the forms and documentation required to determine your child care center’s eligibility for CACFP. Key requirements of the packet include:

• Training Certification Statement
• Free and Reduced Price Meal (FRPM) Applications
• Financial Statement and Enrollment Worksheet
• Meal Pattern Requirements
• Vendor Registration through OSRAP

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Once you’ve completed the packet, send it via mail or email to the LDOE.

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Sign the CACFP Permanent Agreement

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The LDOE will then review your information packet for completeness and accuracy within 7 business days. Once approved, the CACFP Permanent Agreement will be mailed to your provided physical address. This is a legally binding document that must be signed and returned by mail to the LDOE.

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Prepare for an on-site pre-approval visit

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The Division of Nutrition Support staff will schedule an on-site pre-approval visit to verify and observe your center’s readiness and capability to implement and oversee CACFP requirements and operations, including meal service.

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Complete the online application

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After the on-site visit, your child care center will receive access to the CACFP online application system. Complete the online forms in the system and await final approval.

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The LDOE will notify you once your application has been processed and approved.

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Recordkeeping and documentation

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To comply with CACFP regulations and ensure seamless claims, participating child care must maintain accurate records and documents. These include:

• Food-related cost records (receipts and invoices)
• Annual eligibility applications from participants
• Daily attendance and meal count records
• Menus and meal production records
• Financial documents for audits

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Reimbursement process

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CACFP reimburses child care centers for meals and snacks that meet federal nutritional guidelines. The reimbursement process includes:

• Meal requirements: Meals must follow federal meal patterns based on participants’ ages and the type of meal served (e.g., breakfast, lunch, snack).
• Reimbursement rates: These rates vary based on the type and number of meals served, participant eligibility (free, reduced-price, or paid) and USDA meal rates.
• Maximum allowable meals: Centers can claim reimbursement for up to two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per participant daily.

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Reimbursement claims are submitted online in the LDOE CACFP system monthly.

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Ready to apply?

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Transform your child care center services by enrolling in CACFP! By providing nutritious meals, you can better care and support the children in your care. Ready to get started? The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is here to guide you through the process.

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If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to:

Tammy Bloyed
Email: Tammy.Bloyed@la.gov
Phone: 225-342-3707

Take the first step toward joining CACFP today!

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Simplify CACFP meal compliance with Ordo

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Let Ordo take the challenge out of meal planning and preparation for your center. We provide nutritious, CACFP-compliant meals designed to support the health and growth of children in your care. For no additional costs, we simplify the process, so you can prioritize nurturing while we handle providing healthy meals.

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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.

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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.

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If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.