Select language, current language English
Food and Nutrition Programs

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) New Institution Onboarding

Is Your Program Eligible to Apply for the CACFP?

To be able to apply for the CACFP, your institution must meet specific criteria, including but not limited to:

  • Actively licensed (or alternately licensed, as appropriate)
  • Currently has participants enrolled and attending programming
  • Currently serving meals and/or snacks, and has been for at least two (2) weeks
  • Has a current board of health permit/license for food service (any exemptions to permits/licenses must be documented in writing by the board of health)
  • Adequately staffed to manage the application, onboarding, and maintenance of the CACFP.

New Institution Training and Application:

To start the onboarding process, you must first complete the CACFP New Sponsor Training that aligns with your program type(s):

At the end of the training, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire about your program. Once this questionnaire is completed, a member of FNP will contact eligible institutions with the next steps.

Please note that participation in the CACFP application process does not guarantee approval, and all institutions will be required to demonstrate program compliance before being approved and eligible for reimbursement.

Timelines and Considerations:

  • New Institutions are only onboarded between September 1st and April 30th each year.
    Due to the high volume of new institution interest, effective October 28, 2026 FNP is pausing the processing of new program interest forms, with the exception of at-risk afterschool programs, through December 31, 2026. Interested programs are encouraged to review the required training above, and if interested in participating, submit the interest form. All interest forms submitted during this pause will be reviewed and processed in January 2027.
  • Afterschool programs must complete the new sponsor training and complete the program questionnaire by December 31st to ensure completion of onboarding prior to the end of the school year.
  • Institutions will be provided 45 days to complete and submit the full CACFP application, which will be completed fully online. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • To be considered eligible for approval, institutions must be able to demonstrate full implementation of CACFP requirements.
  • Getting approved for the CACFP takes time—anywhere from a few weeks to a few months—depending on what adjustments your program needs to meet program standards. Please consider these timelines, and understand that there is no backdating of approvals, per USDA regulation.

Questions about the onboarding process, or general CACFP questions can be sent to NewSponsorCACFP.SFSP@mass.gov .

Last Updated: October 29, 2026

Top