Become a Sponsor

Step 1: Determine if your organization is eligible to sponsor a child nutrition program.

All sponsors must demonstrate administrative and financial ability to manage a non-profit food service effectively and cannot be seriously deficient or terminated from any other federal child nutrition program in previous years. School nutrition programs provide meals and snacks to students during the school year and include the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Afterschool Snack and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable programs. Additionally, organizations not participating in one of these School Nutrition programs yet still want to offer milk to students may operate the Special Milk Program. The Summer Food Service Program provides meals and snacks to kids and teens during the summer when school is out of session.

School Nutrition Programs Sponsor Eligibility

A sponsoring organization must be a:

• Public or private non-profit school food authority, including charter schools, residential child care institutions, Bureau of Indian affairs, or state educational agencies

Summer Food Service Program Sponsor Eligibility

A sponsoring organization must be a:

• Public or private non-profit school food authority
• Public or private non-profit college or university
• Public or private non-profit residential summer camp
• Unit of local, county, municipal, State, or Federal Government
• Any other type of private non-profit organization

Key sponsor responsibilities include:

• Hire, train, and supervise staff and volunteers
• Conduct a non-profit food service account
• Competitively procure food to be prepared or contract with a food service management company or meal vendor to be delivered
• Serve meals that meet federal meal pattern requirements
• Qualify students for meal benefits in school meal programs
• Establish site eligibility for summer meal programs
• Monitor all meal sites
• Prepare claims for reimbursement

Fact Sheet Coming Soon

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Step 2: Complete the New Sponsor Form

This form will give CDE School Nutrition details about your program. Once School Nutrition receives this form, we will reach out to schedule an initial phone call to review the form, program eligibility and requirements and answer any questions you may have.

Step 3: Create a financial management plan

• New school nutrition program sponsors will need to complete a business plan
• New summer meal program sponsors will need to complete the Financial Risk Assessment

CDE School Nutrition approval is required before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Receive a pre-approval visit from CDE's School Nutrition Unit

When the business plan or financial risk assessment is reviewed and approved, CDE School Nutrition will reach out to schedule a pre-approval visit. This visit will ensure your organization is prepared to operate child nutrition programs and provide technical assistance as needed.

Step 5: Complete an application for participation

If approved to participate, the final step is to complete an application in the Colorado Nutrition Portal. This is the online system used to apply for program participation and submit claims for meal reimbursement. The School Nutrition Unit will provide you with a username and password to access the Portal.

Download the Guide

Charter School Release for Transfer Form

• Residential and/or day program facilities for individuals with physical or mental disabilities
• Group homes
• Halfway houses

• Orphanages
• Temporary shelters for abused and/or runaway children
• Juvenile detention centers

Food Safety Kit - Products and Sources

Food Safety Basics-Instructor Manual

Food Safety Basics-Staff Training Manual

RCCI Meal Pattern Exemptions Waiver Form

Eligibility Documentation Sheet for Residential Students Only