Making sure children eat well during the day is just as important as keeping them safe. Nutritious food supports their growth, learning, and energy, especially in child care settings where they spend so much of their time. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps make that possible.
CACFP help centers serve nutritious, balanced meals that build healthy habits for life. The Nebraska Department of Education oversees the program with funding from the USDA, making it accessible to child care providers across the state.
If you’re a child care center or sponsor in Nebraska, here’s what you need to know to get started.
Eligibility requirements
To participate in CACFP, child care centers in Nebraska must meet specific eligibility criteria set by both federal and state authorities.
Child care centers must:
- Be licensed by a federal, state, or local licensing authority.
- Meet applicable health and safety standards.
- Operate as either:
- Independent centers, managing their own participation in CACFP, or
- Sponsored centers, which join under an umbrella organization that manages the program for multiple sites.
- Have tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), OR
- Serve a low-income population, defined as:
- At least 25% of enrolled children (or of licensed capacity, whichever is less) qualify for free or reduced-price meals, OR
- Children in care are recipients of child care subsidies under Title XX (childcare assistance programs).
How to apply for CACFP in Nebraska
Applying for CACFP in Nebraska is a multi-step process that includes training, an online application, and an in-person pre-approval visit. Here’s what to expect:
1. Save the dates
CACFP follows an annual schedule that aligns with the school year. Here are key dates to keep in mind:
- July 1 – Start of the new program year
- July 15 – Deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Statement and updating sponsor/site program applications.
August 15 – Final deadline to update sponsor/site applications for the school year.
2. Submit required documents to the NDE
Before you can access the online system or schedule training, you must send the necessary documentation to the NDE, including a copy of your child care license, SAM.gov UEI registration, computer access application, and more.
After these are processed, you’ll receive a user ID and password for the online application portal.
3. Attend mandatory CACFP training
All new CACFP sponsors must attend training provided by the Nebraska Department of Education. Some of the topics include:
- Recordkeeping and Requirements
- Meal Pattern and Production Records
- Infant Feeding
The training sessions are offered in Lincoln, La Vista, and virtually. However, no training is available in July, so plan accordingly. Centers in western Nebraska (Lexington and west) can contact the North Platte office at 308-529-3500 for local options.
4. Complete the online application via the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) system
Once your account is activated, complete the CACFP application in the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) system at https://nutrition.education.ne.gov.
Upload the required documents to the Sponsor and Site folders, which include:
- Child care license (unless exempt)
- Health inspection (if applicable)
- Food service contract or subsidy agreements (if applicable)
- Certificate of Authority & Organization Statement
- Pre-Award Compliance
- Financial Statements (2 recent months for for-profits; audit or financials for non-profits)
- Alternate recordkeeping forms (if not using NDE templates)
- And more.
5. Host a pre-approval visit from NDE staff
Once you’ve submitted your application, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) will schedule a pre-approval visit.
During the visit, you’ll get:
- One-on-one support and technical guidance
- Guidance on what records you’ll need to keep and how to stay in compliance
- Review of your center’s readiness, including any CACFP documents you already have in place
This is a key step before getting approved, so make sure your team is ready and your paperwork is in order.
Recordkeeping and documentation
In Nebraska, institutions are required to keep detailed and accurate records to support all claims for reimbursement.
Additionally, all records related to CACFP claims for reimbursement must be kept for at least four years after the last payment.
Here’s what participating institutions are required to keep on file:
- A copy of the approved CACFP application.
- A signed Program Application Permanent Agreement
- Enrollment documentation
- Income Eligibility forms
- Meal count records
- Daily attendance records
- Financial documentation (receipts, invoices, worksheets, etc.)
- Annual audit report
- Training documentation
- Menu production records
Note: All CACFP-related records must be available during normal business hours for scheduled and unannounced inspection by NDE, auditors, and the USDA.
Reimbursement process
Reimbursement rates are updated each July 1 by the USDA. The amount you receive depends on:
- Meal type (breakfast, lunch, supper, snack)
- Eligibility category (free, reduced-price, paid)
- Participant eligibility based on income forms
Child care centers can be reimbursed for:
- Two meals and one snack, or
- One meal and two snacks per child, per day
Submit your monthly reimbursement claims by the 30th school day to avoid losing eligibility for meals served in that month. Late submissions may not be reimbursed.
Ready to apply?
Bringing CACFP to your child care center can help you offer better quality meals while easing your food budget. If you’re ready to get started or want help navigating the application process, the Nebraska Department of Education’s Nutrition Services team is here to help.
Simply reach out through these channels:
- Email: nde.nsweb@nebraska.gov
- Phone: (402) 471-2488 or toll-free at (800) 731-2233
- Fax: (402) 471-4407
- Online contact: Nebraska Department of Education Contact Page
Make CACFP meal compliance easy with Ordo
Staying compliant with CACFP nutrition standards doesn’t have to add more to your plate. Ordo partners with child care centers across Nebraska to deliver fresh, fully compliant meals at no extra cost. We handle the prep and planning so you can focus on the children in your care.
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 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.
