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Applying for CACFP in Nevada: What child care centers need to know
The USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) makes nutritious meals available and more accessible to children in need. By providing child care centers with reimbursements for snacks and meals, this federal program supports the growth and development of millions of children in the country without adding to centers’ operation costs.
In Nevada, the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food and Nutrition facilitates the program, ensuring centers meet high standards. They oversee the application process, monitor program administration, and provide monthly reimbursements.
To help child care centers apply for CACFP, we’ve outlined all you need to know to get started—from eligibility criteria to the application process to reimbursement requirements. Find out how you can serve healthy meals to children in your care below.
Eligibility requirements
Child care centers in Nevada that meet the following criteria can apply for CACFP:
For-Profit Centers
- 25% of enrolled children must qualify for free or reduced-price meals
- Must provide non-residential care
- Licensed by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) or meet licensing exemptions
Nonprofit Centers
- Offer non-residential care
- Be area-eligible or meet income-based requirements
- Possess 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Licensed by DPBH or qualify for licensing exemptions
Child care facilities can join independently or through sponsoring organizations. Either way, they must show administrative capability and financial stability, proving they can run the federal program according to the guidelines.
How to apply for CACFP in Nevada for child care centers
Submit the initial application
Complete the initial application form online to show your interest in joining the program. Ensure all the required financial documents—your latest balance sheet, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statement—are attached. Once done, email your application to Vickie Guy, vguy@agri.nv.gov.
Application review
After your submission, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) will assess your organization’s financial and administrative capacity. Wait for their reply. Afterward, you’ll receive access to training resources and further application materials.
Attend mandatory training
The NDA requires centers to attend training sessions on the Introduction to CACFP Center Training, Administration 101, and Nutrition 101. Here, you’ll learn the program’s guidelines on meal patterns, recordkeeping, reimbursements, renewal, etc.
Provide required documentation
After finishing the training modules, send the following details to Victoria Guy at vguy@agri.nv.gov:
- Full name
- Organization name
- Proof of completed training sessions
- Completed initial application with all financial documentation
Once the NDA approves your application, you can begin your CACFP program.
Recordkeeping and documentation
Accurate recordkeeping is vital to comply with CACFP. Keep the following records for reimbursement claims, renewal applications, and audits.
- Participant Record Form: Completed forms for all children or adults enrolled, including drop-ins
- Attendance Logs: Use an automated attendance system or manually track sign-in/sign-out records.
- Meal Benefit Income Eligibility (MBIE) Applications: Updated annually for determining each enrolled child’s meal eligibility category (free, reduced-price, or paid).
- Enrollment Rosters: Track participant eligibility statuses of all enrollees
Records must be kept for three fiscal years plus the current year. Ensure consistency among all documentation, including sign-in sheets and MBIE forms.
Menu requirements
CACFP meal patterns emphasize balanced nutrition, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and limited added sugars and saturated fats. Its nutritional guidelines include:
- Serving creditable foods aligned with USDA nutritional standards
- Posting dated menus with disclaimers for water, milk, and juice
- Avoiding excessive high-sugar or high-fat items
- Including the USDA-required non-discrimination statement: “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.”
For detailed instructions, refer to the following:
Reimbursement process
Centers can receive reimbursements for up to two meals and one snack, or one meal and two snacks per participant daily. The reimbursement amount you’ll receive depends on the current rates which vary per eligibility category.
To submit claims, log into the NDA system and input receipts, invoices, and meal count forms to support expenses. Lastly, verify all meals align with CACFP meal patterns before submitting your claim.
Ready to apply?
Improve the quality of care you provide by joining the CACFP. To get started, complete the initial application. For other inquiries on the program, contact the Division of Food and Nutrition at 702-956-0027. Send your application today and make a bigger impact on the nutrition of children under your care!
Ordo simplifies CACFP compliance with freshly prepared meals
Partnering with a reliable food service provider makes CACFP compliance more manageable, allowing you to focus on delivering quality care to children. With Ordo, you can serve CACFP-compliant meals every day—without adding extra costs for your center.
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.
