The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a year-round federal program that helps child care providers serve healthy, nutritious meals. It’s designed to support the well-being of kids in non-residential care settings by reimbursing providers for the meals they serve.
In Mississippi, CACFP is run through a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). MSDH makes sure licensed care facilities meet important health and safety standards. Meanwhile, MDE’s Child Nutrition Office handles program eligibility, training, paperwork, and overall compliance.
Learn everything Mississippi child care centers need to know to participate in CACFP.
Eligibility requirements
To participate in CACFP in Mississippi, your child care center must meet certain criteria:
- Be a public agency, tax-exempt nonprofit, or a for-profit child care center that serves at least 25% of participants who receive subsidies or qualify as low-income.
- Be licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
- Operating as an independent center or under a sponsoring organization (especially common for smaller or new centers).
Additionally, all participating organizations must meet federal CACFP performance standards:
- Financial viability – Demonstrate the financial health to support CACFP operations.
- Administrative capability – Have the staff and systems in place to manage CACFP effectively.
- Accountability – Maintain internal controls and systems to ensure program integrity and compliance.
How to apply for CACFP in Mississippi
1. Contact the Mississippi Department of Education
Reach out to the Office of Child Nutrition to express your interest in joining the CACFP. You can email the required documentation to CACFPApplications@mdek12.org.
2. Submit the required documentation
To initiate the application process, submit the following:
- A letter of interest on your official center letterhead
- A copy of your current permanent child care facility license from MSDH
- A copy of your current food service certificate, also from MSDH
Once your documents are received and reviewed, your information will be forwarded to the Division of Training and Program Outreach. They’ll then schedule you for the next available CACFP training session.
3. Complete the CACFP application
You’ll be provided with application forms, which may request:
- Center demographics and licensing details
- Meal service plans
- Number of enrolled children and staffing information
4. Decide on sponsorship (if applicable)
If you’re not operating as an independent center, you’ll need to partner with a public or private nonprofit sponsor that administers CACFP on behalf of multiple centers. Sponsors help manage paperwork, training, and reporting.
5. Attend the required training
Before you begin serving meals under CACFP, your staff must complete training conducted by the Mississippi Department of Education.
The required topics include:
- CACFP requirements
- Meal pattern standards
- Recordkeeping procedures
- Civil rights regulations
- Claims and reimbursement processes
6. Implement the CACFP program
After approval, your center can begin participating in CACFP. This includes:
- Following approved menus that meet CACFP meal pattern standards
- Keeping accurate records of attendance, meal counts, and expenses
- Submitting monthly claims for reimbursement
Recordkeeping and documentation
Recordkeeping is one of the most important aspects of CACFP participation. It helps make sure your center is in good standing and receives accurate reimbursements.
Your organization will need to create written standard operating procedures (SOPs) that explain how you’ll collect, organize, and store your records. These SOPs should be part of your management plan and can be kept in either digital or paper form.
Some of the key records you’ll need to maintain include:
- Daily counts of meals served
- Proof of participant eligibility
- Documentation of CACFP costs and spending
- Records showing compliance with program rules
Use the CACFP Recordkeeping Manual, which includes:
- Instructions for completing required forms
- Sample completed forms
- Reference examples to guide proper documentation
Reimbursement process
CACFP provides reimbursements based on:
- Meal type: Breakfast, lunch/supper, or snack
- Child eligibility category: Free, reduced-price, or paid
Centers may claim up to three meals per child per day, in the following combinations: Two meals + one snack, or one meal + two snacks
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updates the reimbursement rates, which vary by income category and meal type.
Ready to apply?
CACFP can improve the nutritional quality of meals at your center while providing essential financial support. Ready to get started? Here’s how:
Visit the Office of Child Nutrition: 500 Greymont St, Jackson, MS 39202
Call: 601-576-5000
Or Email: CACFPApplications@mdek12.org
Taking that first step could lead to healthier meals and better outcomes for the children you care for every day!
Meet CACFP standards with Ordo’s support
Ordo helps you meet CACFP standards with ease. Our meals are fully compliant, kid-friendly, and require no extra effort on your part. Whether you’re new to CACFP or a seasoned participant, we make your food service simpler and stress-free.
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.
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 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.
