Summary:Read about and obtain the commonly requested information, data, and forms for Sponsors participating in the Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP)
Applies to: Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP, free and reduced lunch data, reimbursement rates, CACFP Forms
Contents:- CACFPReimbursement Rates
- Free and Reduced Lunch Data
Finding the reimbursements rates for the SFSP seasonThe reimbursement rates for each season are provided in a pdf on our website at the following location:Nutrition > CACFP Participant Information >
CACFP Reimbursement RatesFree and reduced lunch dataFor additional information on free and reduced lunch data go to:
Nutrition > CACFP Participant Information >
CACFP Eligibility Data
Please review the article "Becoming a CACFP Participant", application information, training, renewal training, and applicable form information" for this information
The article is located at: Nutrition > CACFP Participant Information>
Becoming a Participant
CACFP training is available only for organizations that wish to apply to join the CACFP or for participating organizations. If you are not currently participating on the CACFP, contact the Administrative Assistant at 404-657-1779 to register for a training session.
The Projected Reimbursement worksheets can be found under Nutrition >CACFP Forms > Day to Day Operations >
FY2014 projected reimbursement
An organization can apply two ways to become a CACFP participant: 1) Organizations can sign a direct agreement with Bright from the Start to operate the CACFP. A training class is required at which time an application package will be distributed. 2) Child or adult centers can participate under the sponsorship of an approved Administrative Sponsor. To obtain a list of approved sponsors, use the
“Search for Nutrition Programs” on the Bright from the Start homepage. Choose the Program type, and then select Administrative Sponsor and click Search. A list of administrative Sponsors will populate. Sponsors will provide pre-approval training and application materials.
Day Care Home providers must participate under an approved Day Care Home Sponsor. To obtain a list of approved Day Care Home Sponsors, use the
“Search for Food Program” on the Bright from the Start homepage. Choose the Program type, and then select Day Care Home Sponsor and click Search. A list of Day Care Home Sponsors will populate. Sponsors will provide pre-approval training and application materials.
Complete the applicable section on the Financial and Electronic Enrollment/Change Form. To obtain the form go to the
CACFP Forms page under Application Change form.
No, a Social Security number is not needed for any member of a household unit that received TANF or Food Stamp assistance. However, a valid program case number is needed on the statement. An EBT card number is not acceptable.
A household is all persons considered one economic unit. An economic unit is defined as a group of related or unrelated people who share housing and/or all significant income and expenses of its members. Generally, individuals residing in the same house are an economic unit. However, more than one economic unit may reside together in the same house. Separate economic units in the same house are characterized by prorating expenses and income not being shared between the economic units.
No, if you received approval from Bright from the Start to use one of your own forms in place of a Bright from the Start form, you do not have to get approval every year to continue using the form. However, if you change the approved form, then you must resubmit the new form to Bright from the Start for approval. Also, if Bright from the Start form changes the original form, you may need to change your form accordingly and resubmit for approval. You should always keep your written documentation from Bright from the Start stating that you have been approved to use alternate forms.
Yes, federal regulations state that any and all records associated with the CACFP can be reviewed or audited for three years plus the current fiscal year EVEN if you leave the program.
We recommend that you always keep records pertaining to your food program even when you don’t claim for the month. At the beginning of the month, it may appear that you will not qualify, but that could change. Remember, you can qualify at any point in the month and still qualify for the whole month. It could even be the last day of the month!
Documentation to support a donation must clearly identify the donated items including quantity, date of the transaction, and contact information, i.e., name of person or store, address, phone #.
All enrolled children must be on the roster. A center cannot claim a meal for reimbursement if the parent is breastfeeding on the premises. If the parent brings the breast milk in a bottle for you to feed the infant, the meal is reimbursable. In all other cases the center must provide at least one component of the infant meal pattern in order to claim the meal for reimbursement.
Federal regulations state that an institution cannot be reimbursed for any infant meal that includes whole milk unless the child has a doctor’s note stating that there is a medical reason for the infant to drink whole milk instead of formula or breast milk.
The At-Risk program can operate during the “regular” operating year for the school district in which the at-risk program is located. This means you cannot claim during the summer months unless your school district operates a “year round” schedule. You can, however, claim during school breaks that occur during the regular operating year for the school system, i.e., fall or spring break.
Soymilk may be used only as a substitute because of medical or other special dietary needs. The use of soymilk for medical reasons must be supported by a statement from a recognized medical authority that includes recommended alternate foods.
Milk must be served at all breakfast, lunch, and supper meals for child care centers. However, if the children are not drinking it, and it is going to waste, you should try creative ways to get them to drink the milk. Children may need to be served a new food several times before they are willing to try it. Any flavor of milk is creditable, and sometimes serving flavored milk (chocolate, strawberry, etc.) encourages the child to try the milk and then to continue to drink it.
Use the milk calculation sheet available on the Handbooks/Instructions webpage under CACFP Participant Information on the Bright from the Start website to calculate how much milk you should be purchasing. When a consultant calculates how much milk you should have purchased for the month, he/she will look at how many meals were actually served with milk and determine how many ounces should have been purchased to provide the appropriate quantity for the age groups and number of meals served. You must have receipts documenting that the required amount was purchased for the month.
The poster can be downloaded from the
Posters and Flyers webpage under the CACFP Participant Information.
No additional funding is available if costs exceed reimbursement. Keep in mind that the CACFP is intended to enhance your program operations, not replace them.
No, funds do not have to be returned to Bright from the Start; however, the funds MUST be used to further enhance the non-profit food service operation. Remember that there are many allowable costs that you can spend the money on, such as new plates, pots and pans, new utensils etc.