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Joining CACFP in Maryland: What child care centers need to know
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) ensures that young children receive nutritionally balanced meals that promote wellness, growth, and development. In Maryland, over 300 agencies participate in the program. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) administers CACFP at the state level, providing federal funds to licensed or approved child care centers to ensure healthy meals are available at no charge to eligible participants.
To help your child care center apply for CACFP, we’ve outlined this guide that covers everything you need to know—from eligibility and the application process to reimbursement requirements. Here’s how you can serve healthy meals to children in your care.
Eligibility requirements
To participate in CACFP, child care centers must meet specific eligibility criteria:
- Facilities must be licensed or approved by the state to operate.
- CACFP meals must be available to all enrolled participants at no extra cost
- Meals must comply with USDA nutrition standards, including serving required food components and portion sizes.
- CACFP is open to all eligible participants, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
How to apply for CACFP in Maryland for child care centers
Child care centers interested in applying for CACFP should follow these steps:
Contact MSDE to begin the CACFP Interest process
The first step is to reach out to MSDE at (410) 767-0199 to express interest and formally start the application process. A representative will guide you through the next steps and provide the necessary forms and checklists.
Complete the CACFP interest survey and budget worksheet
Prospective applicants must submit an interest survey and budget worksheet to MSDE via email to demonstrate their eligibility and readiness to participate.
MSDE determines the child care center’s eligibility
After reviewing the interest survey and budget worksheet, MSDE will confirm your child care center’s eligibility and create a user account for the applicant in its official system.
Complete CACFP orientation and basics training
Centers must then complete the required CACFP training, which includes:
- CACFP Basics - A monthly one-day training covering aspects of administering CACFP
- CACFP Child Care Centers - Required annual training that provides USDA regulation updates and professional development.
- Food Safety for Child Care Centers - Training tailored to child care centers covering health, safety, and nutrition requirements.
- MSDE’s training videos and resources covering meal patterns and positive mealtime environments.
Additionally, you can gather more CACFP resources and training through:
- USDA’s CACFP Training Tools on meal service requirements and allowable foods.
- The Institute of Child Nutrition’s online courses, webinars, and a Child Nutrition Recipe Box for CACFP-compliant menus.
Submit the three-part online application
Child care center applicants must then complete the three-part online application through MSDE’s system, submitting the necessary documentation and program details.
MSDE conducts a pre-approval visit
MSDE will review your online application and, once verified, send a representative to visit your child care center. The visit includes assessing your center’s readiness for CACFP and observing your meal operations.
Approval and reimbursement
Once approved, your child care center can begin serving CACFP meals and claiming reimbursements for eligible meals and snacks.
Recordkeeping and documentation
To remain compliant and receive reimbursements without a hitch, child care centers must maintain accurate records, including:
- Income eligibility applications
- Daily meal participation records
- Daily attendance records
- Food receipts and menus
- Food production records
- Infant menu records (if applicable)
All reimbursement funds must be used exclusively for the CACFP. Centers cannot profit from CACFP meal reimbursements.
Reimbursement process
CACFP provides federal reimbursements to child care centers for meals and snacks that meet USDA nutrition standards. The amount of reimbursement depends on household income, based on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs). Adjustments to these guidelines occur annually to ensure that low-income participants receive the most assistance.
Reimbursement claims must be submitted to MSDE within the claim month.
Ready to apply?
Joining CACFP can help improve the quality of meals provided at your child care center. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact MSDE’s Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (OSCNP) at (410) 767-0219 for more details.
You can also visit www.eatsmartmaryland.org for additional information on Maryland’s child nutrition programs.
Ordo simplifies CACFP compliance with freshly prepared meals
Partnering with Ordo makes it easier to meet CACFP meal requirements while ensuring children receive high-quality, nutritious meals. Ordo handles meal preparation, compliance, and delivery—at no extra cost to your center. Focus on providing excellent care while we take care of the meals.
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.
