The CACFP food program in Tennessee.

Tennessee Department of Human Services runs the CACFP food program in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Human Services, Nutrition Programs

Go to the Tennessee Department of Human Services page

Source: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

How to join CACFP in Tennessee, step by step

  1. Ask for access to the online system

    Email CACFP.DHS@tn.gov or call the state to get access to the online application.

    Source: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

  2. Apply only in TIPS

    Send the whole application in the state's online system, TIPS. Do not mail, fax or drop it off.

    Source: Child and Adult Care Food Program (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 Program

To 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 Rates

This year's rates for centers and homes are on our CACFP rates page.

Questions, answered

Who runs CACFP in Tennessee?

Tennessee Department of Human Services, Nutrition Programs runs the program.

How do I join CACFP in Tennessee?

Start with this step: Ask for access to the online system. All 2 steps are on this page, each with its source.

Can a home daycare join CACFP in Tennessee?

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 Tennessee?

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

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