Eligibility Requirements
Child Care Organizations
- Provide non-residential care for children
- Be licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS); exempt from licensing but with proper health and safety inspections; a Head Start center; or preschool funded by the Iowa Department of Education
- Be a public; non-profit; or eligible for-profit organization (serve at least 25% low income children)
- Operate an eligible preschool, child care center, outside school hours child care, At-Risk After School snack program or emergency shelter program
Emergency Shelters
- Provide residential care and food services to homeless children
- Be a public or private nonprofit institution
- Meet any health and safety codes as required by state or local law
At Risk After School Snack Program
- Be located in the attendance area of an elementary, middle, or public high school with least 50 percent of the enrolled children eligible for free or reduced price meals
- Provide regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities
- If exempt from licensing, meet State or local health and safety requirements
Reimbursement
- Child Care Centers, preschools and outside school hours child care organizations are paid a subsidy
- All participants are eligible for reimbursement.
- Meals and snacks are reimbursed at three different rates (free, reduced-price and paid).
- Reimbursement is paid for up to two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per child per day.
- Reimbursement rates are based on the income level of participants and the number of meals and snacks served.
- Current income applications must be on file to claim meals the higher (free and reduced-price) rates of reimbursement.
- Click Nutrition Funding for current reimbursement rates (select CACFP).
- Outside School Hours Care Centers
- Breakfasts and snacks may be claimed for reimbursement.
- Lunches may be claimed only when school is not in session including weekends, holidays and school vacations or at schools without a lunch program.
- At Risk Meals Program
- Meals and snacks must be served after the end of the school day, on vacation days or holidays during the school year only.
- If the school has an extended day, the snack may be served before the end of the school day.
- Up to one supper and one afternoon snack may be claimed per child per day.
- If the Program is open on non-school days any one meal and one snack may be claimed per child per day.
- All snacks are reimbursed at the highest (free) rate.
- Income applications are not required.
- Homeless and Emergency Shelters
- Breakfast, lunch and supper or two of these meals and a snack may be claimed per participant per day.
- All meals are reimbursed at the highest (free) rate.
- Income applications are not required.
- All Programs
- Meals served must follow CACFP meal pattern requirements.
- Meals served to supervising adults, volunteers and visitors are not eligible for reimbursement.
Application Procedures
- Contact Cheryl Tolley at cheryl.tolley@iowa.gov or 515-681-2304 to request and application packet.
- Complete Iowa CACFP Steps to Success training modules that apply to your type of organization.
- Complete the preliminary application packet.
- Receive a pre-approval visit conducted by a State agency CACFP consultant.
- Complete an online application.
Memos and Updates
Memos and Updates have been moved to the CACFP Resources Google Website (permission required). To request access, contact Robin Holz or Cheryl Tolley.