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Applying for CACFP in Tennessee: What child care centers need to know
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded initiative that helps child care centers improve children’s nutrition in care settings by reimbursing USDA-compliant meals and snacks. It ensures children have access to nutritious meals that support their wellness, development, and academic success.
The CACFP is administered by the Department of Human Services in Tennessee. Currently, 58% of the state’s child care providers are already enrolled in the program. Learn how your center can join the program below.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for CACFP, child care centers in Tennessee need to meet specific criteria related to their participants and operations:
- Non-profit centers can enroll without a specific percentage of low-income participants.
- For-profit centers must ensure at least 25% of participants qualify for free or reduced-price meals or receive Title XX benefits.
How to apply for CACFP in Tennessee
1. Express your interest in participating
To get information on the application process for the program, start by submitting an interest form to the Tennessee Department of Human Services using the following link: CACFP Request for Information Form.
Provide the required details about your child care center, including whether you’re requesting an application form or supplemental information. Once the form is submitted, the CACFP team will get in touch with you and guide you through the next steps.
Optional: You can attend the CACFP Virtual Summit held annually by the DHS to learn more about the program, its benefits, and compliance requirements.
2. Complete the required CACFP training
For approval, all child care centers must complete the USDA-mandated training to ensure they understand and can adhere to CACFP standards. The Tennessee DHS offers training on several topics:
- Annual CACFP training
- Eligibility and recordkeeping
- Free and reduced price meal
- Meal service requirements and documentation
- Food production records and meal patterns
You can also access training resources and videos using these links:
Recordkeeping and documentation
Tennessee requires centers to maintain detailed records of CACFP-related documents to comply with program requirements and secure reimbursements.
Key documents include:
- Daily attendance records
- Meal counts and food service details
- Eligibility forms for free or reduced-price meals
- Receipts and invoices for food and supply purchases
- Labor cost documentation, including timesheets for staff
Centers must also ensure that meals meet USDA standards and also provide records for infants up to 12 months, including breast milk or formula documentation.
Reimbursement process
CACFP reimburses meals and snacks based on USDA meal patterns and household income levels (free, reduced, paid) and submitted monthly through the Tennessee Information Payment system.
Centers can claim up to two meals and one snack per participant daily. Additionally, the meals must meet the recommended serving size and component requirements, including fluid milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins.
Reimbursable meals include:
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and supper.
- Snacks: Morning, afternoon, or evening
To ensure a smooth claim process, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Adhere to USDA meal patterns.
- Submit claims within 60 days of the claim month.
- Track and document all meals served and ensure proper recordkeeping.
Ready to apply?
Joining CACFP can transform the quality of care and meals you can provide to the children in your program. Contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services to begin your application:
- Phone: (615) 313-4749
- Email: cacfp.dhs@tn.gov
- Portal: Tennessee CACFP Portal
Take the first step today to make a significant difference in the lives of the children you serve.
Meet CACFP meal standards through Ordo’s support (H3)
Partnering with a meal service program can simplify managing your meal service program while meeting strict CACFP standards. In Ordo, we provide fresh, balanced meals based on USDA guidelines and meal patterns, so you can focus on caring for children while we handle compliance at no added expense.
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.
