Frequently Asked Questions

An organization can apply two ways to become a CACFP participant: 1) Organizations can sign a direct agreement with Bright from the Start to operate the CACFP. A training class is required at which time an application package will be distributed. 2) Child or adult centers can participate under the sponsorship of an approved Administrative Sponsor. Sponsors will provide pre-approval training and application materials. 

Day Care Home providers must participate under an approved Day Care Home Sponsor. Sponsors will provide pre-approval training and application materials. 

It is recommend that you always keep records pertaining to your food program even when you don’t claim for the month. Remember, you can qualify at any point in the month and still qualify for the whole month. It could even be the last day of the month! 

When a consultant calculates how much milk you should have purchased for the month, he/she will look at how many meals were actually served with milk and determine how many ounces should have been purchased to provide the appropriate quantity for the age groups and number of meals served. You must have receipts documenting that the required amount was purchased for the month. 

Soymilk may be used only as a substitute because of medical or other special dietary needs. The use of soymilk for medical reasons must be supported by a statement from a recognized medical authority that includes recommended alternate foods. 

Federal regulations state that an institution cannot be reimbursed for any infant meal that includes whole milk unless the child has a doctor’s note stating that there is a medical reason for the infant to drink whole milk instead of formula or breast milk. 

All enrolled children must be on the roster. A center cannot claim a meal for reimbursement if the parent is breastfeeding on the premises. If the parent brings the breast milk in a bottle for you to feed the infant, the meal is reimbursable. In all other cases the center must provide at least one component of the infant meal pattern in order to claim the meal for reimbursement. 

Milk must be served at all breakfast, lunch, and supper meals for child care centers. However, if the children are not drinking it, and it is going to waste, you should try creative ways to get them to drink the milk. Children may need to be served a new food several times before they are willing to try it. Any flavor of milk is creditable, and sometimes serving flavored milk (chocolate, strawberry, etc.) encourages the child to try the milk and then to continue to drink it.