Applying for CACFP in North Carolina: A guide for child care centers

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps child care centers offer children in their care nutritious snacks and meals. This federally funded program, administered and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides reimbursement to eligible caregivers for meals and snacks served to participants, helping them serve better quality care at no additional expense.

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While the USDA sets program regulations, state agencies manage local operations. In North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) oversees CACFP, guiding child care centers through the application process and ensuring compliance with program standards.

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To help you get started on your application, we’ve outlined what child care centers need to apply for CACFP in North Carolina—from eligibility to the application process to reimbursement and annual renewal.

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Eligibility requirements

To apply for CACFP, child care centers in North Carolina must meet specific criteria:

• Child Care Centers: Licensed public or private nonprofit centers, Head Start programs, and some for-profit centers can serve meals and snacks to infants and children through CACFP
• For-Profit Centers: Eligible if they receive Title XIX or Title XX for at least 25% of enrolled participants.

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If they qualify, child care centers must be ready to carry the following responsibilities:

• Assume administrative responsibility for implementing CACFP, including staff training, monitoring, and menu design
• Track meals, file claims, and maintain day-to-day operational needs
• Complete annual application updates and ensure financial accountability

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How child care centers can apply for CACFP in North Carolina

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The NCDHHS requires the following steps for CACFP application.

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Take the “Is CACFP for Me?” Training

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Begin your application by registering and completing the “Is CACFP For Me?” course. This training introduces CACFP, its requirements, and eligibility criteria.

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Complete the prescreening

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Answer a set of online questions to determine your organization’s eligibility. If you qualify, you’ll be asked to give prequalification information.

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Pass the prequalification

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Submit additional information as requested for prequalification. After reviewing your documents, the State agency will grant access to training resources.

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Complete required trainings

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Once you’ve passed prequalification, you’ll be given a link to access training resources. You’ll need to finish at least three webinars on the following and other mini webinars before starting the application:

• CACFP Basics
• NC CACFP CONNECTS
• Budget trainings

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These training courses will prepare your center for CACFP participation, ensuring administrative capability, accountability, and financial viability.

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Request access to NC CACFP CONNECTS

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After completing training, submit an access request form and request online system access on the system. It’ll grant you access to NC CACFP CONNECTS where the application will be completed.

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Submit the online application

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Complete and submit your application along with the required documents in NC CACFP CONNECTS. The State agency will review and approve your submission, after which your center can begin running your food program.

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Recordkeeping and documentation

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Staying compliant with CACFP standards requires accurate recordkeeping, as it helps prevent errors in reimbursement claims and ensures readiness for audits. Child care centers must maintain the following:

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• Income eligibility records
• Enrollment forms
• Meal plans
• Receipts and disbursement records
• Time sheets
• Meal service documentation

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Reimbursement process

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Child care centers submit reimbursement claims monthly to the NC CACFP CONNECTS system. They receive reimbursements based on the current reimbursement rates for the fiscal year and the number of meals served according to eligibility classification—paid, reduced, and free.

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Annual renewal and training

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CACFP requires centers to undergo annual program renewal and training. This ensures every organization stays up-to-date on program changes and upholds high standards throughout the year. NCDHHS provides training options online which key personnel from centers must take to renew participation annually. These trainings tackle nutrition guides, program administration, and other aspects of participation.

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Ready to apply?

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Applying for CACFP eases child care centers’ financial responsibilities in providing healthy, nourishing meals and snacks. Reach out to NCDHHS to begin your application process or for additional support:

• Email: CACFPnewapp@dhhs.nc.gov
• Phone: (919) 707-5799
• Fax: (919) 870-4819
• NC CACFP CONNECTS Service Desk: 866-622-2733

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Start your application today and provide better quality service to children in your care!

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Satisfy CACFP meal standards with Ordo

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Meeting strict CACFP meal standards on top of managing administrative work and ensuring smooth day-to-day childcare operations can be challenging. Here’s where Ordo can help. As the food service provider schools and parents trust, we ensure CACFP compliance by providing nutritious snacks and meals carefully planned, prepared, and delivered at extra cost to centers.

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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.

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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.