The CACFP food program in California.
California Department of Social Services runs the CACFP food program in California. These are the steps to join, each with its source.
Checked on the state's and USDA's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Who runs CACFP in California
California Department of Social Services, CACFP Branch
Go to the California Department of Social Services page
Source: Child and Adult Care Food ProgramHow to join CACFP in California, step by step
Fill out the Interest Survey
A center starts with the state's online Interest Survey. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFPHave your papers ready
You need a California business registration and a federal UEI number.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFPTake the training and send documents
You take the required training courses. Then you send papers that show your business can run the program.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFPApply online and watch the webinar
The state gives you access to its online system, CNIPS. You also watch a self-paced webinar of about three hours.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFPPass a visit and sign the agreement
A state specialist visits before approval. Then you sign an agreement. Meals before approval are not paid back.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFPHome daycares contact a sponsor
A home daycare contacts a day care home sponsor that serves its county.
Source: How to Apply to the CACFP
Who can join
- Child care centers
Licensed or approved public or nonprofit child care centers, Head Start and after-school care centers can take part.
Source: Child and Adult Care Food ProgramTo start, a center contacts its state agency.
Source: Program Operator (CACFP)- For-profit centers
At least 25 percent of the children must qualify for free or reduced-price meals. It counts enrolled children or licensed spots, whichever is less.
Source: 7 CFR 226.2 Definitions (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02)- Home daycares
A home daycare cannot join on its own. It joins through a sponsoring organization.
Source: 7 CFR 226.2 Definitions (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02)- After-school programs
Ask your state agency if your after-school program can serve CACFP meals.
Source: How to Participate in the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component of CACFP (fact sheet)
What a CACFP meal must hold
- Breakfast
Serve all three: milk, a vegetable or fruit, and a grain.
Source: 7 CFR 226.20 Requirements for meals (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02; section last amended 2026-06-08)- Lunch and supper
Serve all five: milk, a protein food, a vegetable, a fruit and a grain.
Source: 7 CFR 226.20 Requirements for meals (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02; section last amended 2026-06-08)- Snack
Pick two of the five food groups. Milk and juice cannot be the only two.
Source: 7 CFR 226.20 Requirements for meals (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02; section last amended 2026-06-08)- Milk
Children age 1 get unflavored whole milk. Children 2 to 5 get unflavored milk. It can be whole, 2 percent, 1 percent or fat-free. Children 6 and older may have flavored or unflavored milk.
Source: 7 CFR 226.20 Requirements for meals (eCFR, up to date as of 2026-11-02; section last amended 2026-06-08)
See the least amounts for each age on the full meal chart.
What CACFP pays
Payment rates change every July.
Source: CACFP Reimbursement RatesThis year's rates for centers and homes are on our CACFP rates page.
Forms and guides
- CACFP reimbursement rates
What USDA pays per meal and snack this school year.
- Free CACFP menu template
A week of meals by meal pattern component, one sheet per age group.
- Free CACFP meal count form
Each child’s meals, marked as they are served, with daily totals.
- How to start a daycare in California
The steps to open a licensed child care center.
- How to start a home daycare in California
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- California licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- CACFP in every state
Who runs the program in each state, and the full meal chart.
Questions, answered
Who runs CACFP in California?
California Department of Social Services, CACFP Branch runs the program.
How do I join CACFP in California?
Start with this step: Fill out the Interest Survey. All 6 steps are on this page, each with its source.
Can a home daycare join CACFP in California?
A home must have a current license or approval to care for children. A home daycare cannot join on its own. It joins through a sponsoring organization.
How much does CACFP pay in California?
Payment rates change every July. This year's rates for centers and homes are on our CACFP rates page.
About this page
Checked on the state's and USDA's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Bloomily does not run CACFP or decide who can join.
This page is a summary of the state's and USDA's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Sources for this state
- FNA Contacts: Child and Adult Care Food Program (results page 1 of 3), USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA). Read November 4, 2026.
- Child and Adult Care Food Program, California Department of Social Services. Read November 4, 2026.
- How to Apply to the CACFP, California Department of Social Services. Read November 4, 2026.
Questions about childcare in California?
Tell us what you run or plan to open. A person on our team answers.