Tennessee food program sponsor bonds.
From $100.
The bond a Tennessee food program sponsor files with the Department of Human Services to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It demonstrates financial responsibility and protects the federal funds you administer — premiums are 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum, with a soft credit check that never affects your score.
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How much does a Tennessee food program sponsor bond cost?
2% of the bond amount, from $100. Enter your amount in the calculator for the exact price.
Apply to filed in a day or two.
Sponsor bonds are straightforward once DHS sets your amount. Here's the whole process:
Apply online
Your organization details, the bond amount DHS required, and the effective date — plus a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. That is the application.
Approved
Most are approved as soon as you apply. One soft credit pull, never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.
E-sign & file with DHS
Pay online and receive the executed bond, ready to file with the Tennessee Department of Human Services for your CACFP sponsorship. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.
What it is and who needs it.
What the food program sponsor bond actually covers
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a USDA program, administered in Tennessee by the Department of Human Services, that reimburses sponsors for nutritious meals served to children and eligible adults in care. A sponsor receives and distributes federal reimbursement funds — so DHS conditions sponsorship on a bond demonstrating financial stability and responsibility.
The required amount is based on your enrollment and the volume of meals you serve, and can range widely. A surety bond is an accepted form of security; DHS sets the figure for your organization, and you enter it on the application.
The bond protects the program funds against misuse: if a sponsor mishandles reimbursement money or fails to meet its obligations, a claim can be made to recover the loss — and if the surety pays, the sponsor repays the surety. These bonds typically run a one-year term and renew annually. Enter your DHS amount and see your price, starting from $100.
You need this bond if you are
Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.
If a claim is made
A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.
The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.
Renewal and term
The premium covers a one-year term from the effective date you choose.
Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.
How to file it
E-sign & file with DHS. Pay online and receive the executed bond, ready to file with the Tennessee Department of Human Services for your CACFP sponsorship. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.
What sets the price
The premium is 2% of the bond amount, $100 minimum: the amount the obligee sets moves the price, not your business profile.
One soft credit pull, never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score.
Where a check runs, it decides approval; the rate is the same for everyone approved.
One application, then a quick review.
These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once and your bond is issued when you pay.
Start the application →Common questions.
Other Tennessee bonds.
Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .
Food program sponsor bond, filed this week.
Premiums from $100. Enter the amount DHS required and file in a day or two.