Are you interested in joining the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)? Check out the CACFP Overview (Spanish) (Hmong) for more information.
Programs that want to join must be open and operating for at least one full month and meet one of the following requirements:
- Licensed Programs: Have an active and current license with the Department of Children and Families
- Programs Exempt from Licensing: Meet local/state health and safety standards
The first step to join the CACFP is to complete a CACFP New Agency Information Form to provide information to determine if your program is eligible, including:
- Legal name of organization (refer to IRS documentation)
- Organization type: For-Profit, Private Non-Profit, or Public/Tribal
- Private Non-Profit: must have Federal tax-exempt status 501(c)3 under the Internal Revenue System (IRS).
- Public: must be part of an entity recognized as "public" by the State or Federal Government. This includes public schools, public universities and technical colleges, and Indian reservations.
- For Profit: at least 25% of children enrolled or 25% licensed capacity (whichever is less) must receive W-2 Child Care Assistance (Title XX) or be eligible for free or reduced price meals.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of organization (refer to IRS documentation)
- DPI Agency Code (if applicable): School Food Authority (SFA) or other organization currently participating in another child nutrition program, or that has participated in a child nutrition program in the past, must provide the DPI assigned agency code
Must have or obtain a Unique Entity ID (SAM)
Ready to take the next step? Complete the CACFP New Agency Information Form to determine if your program is eligible. The DPI will review the information and contact eligible programs to discuss next steps of the CACFP Application Process. The CACFP New Agency Information Form is not an application for the CACFP. If you have any questions, contact us at CACFPApplication@dpi.wi.gov.