What child care centers need to know to apply for CACFP in Georgia

Children need nutritious food to fuel growth and development. For child care centers, meeting these needs daily can be costly. Here’s where the Child and Care Food Program (CACFP) can help.

‍

CACP is a great way for child care centers in Georgia to get financial help while serving healthy meals to kids. Bright from the Start (BFTS) under the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) administers the program, ensuring all licensed care centers continuously satisfy CACFP guidelines and serve children well-balanced, nutritious meals daily.

‍

To help you apply for CACFP, we’ve curated a straightforward guide to help you through the application process.

‍

Eligibility requirements

‍

The following child care organizations can qualify for CACFP in Georgia, as long as they satisfy CACFP performance standards and are licensed by the DECAL:

• Public non-profit
• Private non-profit
• Private for-profit
  
  

Additionally, private for-profit centers should at least have 25% of enrollees receiving childcare subsidies (Title XX funds) or meeting the income eligibility criteria for free or reduced-price meals.

‍

How To Apply for CACFP in Georgia

‍

If you’re eligible, you can start your application process for CACFP. Here’s how:

‍

1. Attend training program from Bright from the Start

Before anything else, you need to attend a 2-day training program held by Bright from the Start. Here, you’ll get your application packets and learn all you need to start your CACFP program including, program eligibility, menu planning, recordkeeping, and monthly claim submission process.

‍

Trainings are held many times monthly in different locations across Georgia. You can find available dates in the Training Calendar. To register, contact Nutrient Services at 404-657-1779 at least one week before your preferred training session date.

‍

2. Submit your application and supporting documents

‍

After attending the training program, complete all forms and documents you need to submit. Here’s a basic rundown of what you need to accomplish, though BFTS officials may require others depending on your center’s condition. All these are available on the DECAL site.

• CACFP Application Form
• Proof of license or exemption
• Tax IRS Form W-9

• Income eligibility form (based on the income eligibility guidelines)
• Management plan
• Compensation plan
• Budget plan

‍

The management, compensation, and budget plans are required to prove you're eligible for the program. These documents show that your staff meets CACFP qualifications and your center is financially viable to administer the program.

‍

3. Operate CACFP with proper documentation for a month

‍

After submission, your documents will then be reviewed. In the meantime, you can test-run your CACFP program, complying with all the federal and state regulations or guidelines and BFTS policies. Implement meal plans according to the CACFP meal patterns and USDA guidelines to provide children’s dietary and nutrient needs. These include:

• A variety of fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Protein-rich foods
• Less added sugar and saturated fat

‍

CACFP reimburses for up to two meals and one snack per child each day. Keep these in mind when planning to ensure all meals meet these standards. Aside from that, track your daily menu, meal counts and attendance for the pre-operative visit.

‍

4. Pass the pre-operative visit

‍

After at least a month of testing your program, a BFTS official will visit your center to ensure it complies with program requirements. Afterwards, you’ll receive feedback and guidance on how to officially begin.

‍

‍

Recordkeeping and Documentation

‍

Maintaining CACFP participation requires a lot of recordkeeping. You have to track the following to ensure accurate monthly claims submission.

• Meal counts: How many meals and snacks are served daily and monthly
• Income Eligibility: Which children qualify for free or reduced-price meals
• Attendance Records: Ensures only eligible meals are reimbursed

‍

Keep these consistent as regular audits occur and failing to comply may cost you penalties or your participation.

‍

Reimbursement Process

‍

You’ll get reimbursed for each meal you serve every month based on current reimbursement rates. The amount depends on the income levels of the kids enrolled at your center, with higher rates available for lower-income families.

‍

For your monthly claims report, include an updated enrollment list, categorized by income eligibility (free, reduced, paid) and the number of meals served. Your total reimbursement will then be calculated based on how many participants are in each category.

‍

Annual Training

‍

Complying with CACFP, your staff must undergo annual training to stay up to date on CACFP guidelines. It’ll cover topics such as food safety practices, record-keeping procedures, and meeting USDA meal pattern requirements. This is especially helpful and crucial for new employees. These training sessions are available online through Georgia’s ATLAS platform or local in-person sessions.

‍

‍

Ready to Apply?

‍

Applying for CACFP Georgia is a great way to improve your child care services. If you’re ready to start, visit the CACFP application page or call DECAL at 404-657-1779 for help. Take the first step to make a big difference in the lives of the kids you care for!

‍

Skip the hassle—Meet CACFP meal requirements through Ordo

‍

Managing your food program, staffing it, and making sure you do everything right so you receive your reimbursements on top of actually managing your center is an incredible feat. That's why many centers choose to work with external vendors to take care of mealtimes for them. At Ordo, we deliver well-balanced meals following USDA guidelines to ensure kids eat healthy and care centers comply easily at no extra cost.

‍

Ordo has become the fastest-growing school food program in America, 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.

‍

Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 different 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 important 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 with our chefs preparing 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.