Join the Food Program

Nutrition Works is a sponsoring organization for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP or “The Food Program”) for childcare providers throughout Idaho. Our staff members are dedicated to helping you be as successful as possible as a participant on the Food Program.

Getting Started is Easy!

Child Care Centers

  1. Call or email us to complete an application and learn more about the CACFP.
  2. Complete an Income Eligibility Study to determine whether your center is eligible to participate.
  3. Complete a Food Program Orientation and access to our Child Nutrition Program recordkeeping system.
  4. Participate in a pre-approval site visit with your Program Reviewer
  5. Your reviewer approves your official start date and you can begin claiming!

Family Day Care Homes

  1. Call or email us to complete an application and learn more about the CACFP.
  2. Download our Child Food Program software recordkeeping system.
  3. Participate in a pre-approval site visit and orientation with your Program Reviewer
  4. Your reviewer approves your official start date and you can begin claiming!

Meals and Reimbursements

Nutrition Works provides a monetary reimbursement for serving meals to enrolled participants that meet federal nutritional guidelines, outlined in the CACFP meal pattern. Reimbursement rates are determined by the USDA each year and followed by all food program sponsors. Meal reimbursements are calculated based on a formula for the number of children you feed at a given meal. The three different meals are defined as Breakfast, Lunch/Supper, and Snack. Reimbursement rates vary based on several factors including the type of meal served and whether you run a home day care or a center. Providers must submit a claim each month that will be processed and approved by Nutrition Works. Reimbursements are distributed on a monthly basis on the 3rd Friday of the month provided that the home or center has submitted their claim for the previous month by the 3rd day of the following month. For example, a February claim must be submitted by March 3rd. The check will then be mailed or direct deposited on the 3rd Friday of March.

What You Can Expect from Us

  • An experienced and caring staff to support you. Staff members have worked in child care, early education, business, health, and/or nutrition. Please contact us with your questions or concerns!
  • Monthly reimbursement for up to 2 meals and 1 snack or 2 snacks and 1 meal for each enrolled child each day (paid by direct deposit or a mailed check)
  • Child Nutrition Program software that you can access online on your computer or electronic device to manage records such as meal counts and attendance
  • Regular newsletters and an annual training to stay updated on the program, nutrition issues, recipes, child development, and other best practices
  • Nutrition education materials

Provider Expectations

  • Creditable meals: Serve foods according to the meal pattern guidelines (requires serving meal components in portion sizes appropriate to the child’s age)
  • Daily recordkeeping: Record attendance at the time of arrival and departure and meals daily by end of day or at meal service time depending on whether home or center using provided Minute Menu online system
  • Annual training: Complete a minimum two-hour nutrition training each fiscal year
  • Civil Rights: Provide CACFP benefits to children (infant through twelve years of age) without regard to race, color, sex, handicap or national origin

Apply Today to Join Our Food Program!

If you’re interested in joining our food program, please fill out the form below and we will get back to you soon!


    A Nutrition Works staff member will contact you soon to finalize the application process over phone.