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

Providing nutritious meals for every child can be challenging for child care centers. The federal government steps in to help with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This federally funded program helps child care centers serve nutritious meals and snacks to children, supporting their health and well-being.

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In Iowa, the Department of Education’s Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services administers the program, overseeing participating centers’ application, training, reimbursement, and renewal. To help centers benefit from the program, we’ve outlined all you need to know to get started below.

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Eligibility requirements

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Public and Private Non-Profit Centers

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Public and private non-profit centers can be eligible for the CACFP, provided that they meet the following criteria:

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• The organization is a public institution or a private non-profit with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
• A Board of Directors governs the organization, with voting members who do not have a financial interest in the center.
• The center is licensed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or is exempt from licensing and has passed required health and safety inspections.
• Eligible organizations include preschools, full-day child care centers, at-risk after-school programs, outside school-hours centers, and emergency/homeless shelters.

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Private For-Profit Centers

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For-profit child care centers can participate in CACFP if they meet these additional criteria:

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• The center is licensed by DHHS or exempt from licensing with proper health and safety inspections.
• At least 25% of enrolled children qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income.
• The center must distribute the Iowa Eligibility Application to parents and complete the 25% documentation survey form to confirm eligibility.

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How to apply for CACFP in New Jersey for child care centers

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Child care centers can apply for CACFP by following these steps:

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1. Complete the “Joining the CACFP” online course

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To start your application process, create an account on the Iowa Learning Online Professional Development and complete the “Joining the CACFP” online course.

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2. Submit the CACFP Preliminary Application form

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Fill out the CACFP Preliminary Application form after finishing the course to see if you’re eligible. You could also contact the CACFP consultant, Cheryl Tolley, at Cheryl.Tolley@iowa.gov or 515-681-2304, to confirm your eligibility.

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3. Request an official application

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If you’re eligible, you can request an official application from the state agency.

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4. Complete the “Steps to Success” training

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Access the training modules in the portal to understand CACFP requirements and program information.

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5. Gather all important documents

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Begin recordkeeping to ensure compliance with meal and reimbursement guidelines. Make sure your center has all the needed documentation before proceeding to the next step.

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6. Schedule a pre-approval visit

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Contact a CACFP consultant in your area to schedule a pre-approval visit. During this visit, a specialist will inspect your center, confirming if it’s ready to join the program. They’ll give their endorsement to proceed or recommendations for improvement.

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7. Submit the complete application online

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If the pre-approval visit is a success, you can submit your complete application, including all necessary documentation, on the online portal.

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Recordkeeping and documentation

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Once accepted to the CACFP, centers must keep accurate records for reimbursement. Key documentation includes:

• Income Eligibility Applications
• Daily meal and attendance records
• Food receipts and production records
• Menus and infant menu records (if applicable)
• Documentation of non-profit food service operations

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Reimbursement process

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To receive reimbursement for eligible meals, child care centers submit monthly claims. Most programs can claim up to two meals and one snack per child per day. The reimbursement amount depends on the following:

• Meal type (breakfast, lunch, snack, supper)
• Income eligibility of children enrolled (free, reduced-price, paid)
• Accurate recordkeeping
• Current reimbursement rates

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Organizations must ensure that all reimbursement funds are spent on CACFP-related expenses. The program operates on a no-profit basis, meaning no profit can be made from CACFP funds.

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Ready to apply?

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Applying for CACFP in Iowa can help you support children’s nutritional needs without paying extra costs. Moreover, it showcases your centers’ high-quality child care services and commitment to proper nutrition—crucial factors parents consider in finding child care services.

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To begin your application, follow the steps outlined above or reach out to the Iowa CACFP Consultant at 515-681-2304. Upgrade your service to children under your care with nutritious meals!

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Ordo helps centers provide CACFP-approved meals (H3)

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Meeting strict CACFP standards on top of completing administrative tasks and providing excellent child care services can be challenging. Ordo steps in to help by offering nutritious snacks and meals based on CACFP meal patterns. As schools’ and parents’ trusted school meal vendor, we ensure your compliance at no additional cost.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.