Become a Sponsor

• Ensure staff are trained on responsibilities specific to their role
• Ensure food service directors meet annual training requirements
• Ensure staff are trained on food safety requirements and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points plan

Manage Finances and conduct a non-profit food service account

• Use child nutrition program funds only for program purposes. Funds may not be used to purchase land or construct buildings
• Maintain a financial management system that meets CDE and federal requirements
• Limit current operating resources to an amount that does not exceed 3 months' average expenditures
• Conduct an independent audit of program operations and provide a copy of the audit to CDE

Competitively procure food to be prepared or contract with a food service management company or meal vendor to be delivered

• Follow federal, state and local procurement requirements
• Maintain a procurement policy for purchasing goods and services

Serve meals that meet federal meal pattern requirements

• Meal modifications must be made for students with special dietary needs that are considered a disability
• Follow the Smart Snacks competitive foods requirements and Colorado Healthy Beverage rules
• School lunch must be served between 10am-2pm. School breakfast should be served near the beginning of the school day
• Summer meal sites can serve up to 2 meals per day, including holidays and weekends. Camp sites can serve up to 3 meals per day.

• Establish a point of service and ensure meals counted contain all required components in correct quantities 
• Establish, implement and review a local wellness policy for school meal programs

Follow all civil rights requirements

• Ensure equal access to programs
• Display the "And Justice for All" poster in a location visible to participants
• Ensure program materials include the USDA nondiscrimination statement

Determine eligibility for meal benefits in school meal programs

• Accept and process household income applications
• Verify a sample of household income applications to ensure complete and accurate information and verify student eligibility
• Complete at least four direct certification uploads each school year
• Sponsors opting into the Healthy School Meals for All program must serve free meals to all students at participating schools

Establish site eligibility for summer meal programs

• All summer meal sites serving meals must meet eligibility requirements based on site type (e.g., open, closed-enrolled, camp)

• Conduct on-site reviews at each school serving breakfast and/or lunch by Feb. 1 each year using this monitoring form
• Conduct on-site visits and reviews of summer meal sites based on monitoring requirements

Prepare claims for reimbursement

• Ensure claims are accurate
• Submit claims within 60 calendar days following the claim month

• Share information with families and communities about school and summer meals