Farm to CACFP Week is October 18-24, 2026
What is Farm to CACFP Week?
Farm to CACFP Week is a national education campaign hosted annually during the third week of October by the National CACFP Association. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting child and adult care sponsors and operators with local foods. Through local food procurement, gardening activities and agriculture education, Farm to CACFP leverages CACFP funding to help incorporate local foods into the nutritious CACFP meal pattern thus strengthening community food systems and supporting positive health outcomes for those in care.
Enter for a chance to Win the Farm to CACFP Week Giveaway!
One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive:
- A $100 eGift Card
- 1 NCA membership
- A promo code for the Farm to CACFP bundle in the NCA Learning Center
- 25 Copies of the 2026 Child Nutrition Today Magazine
- One set of printed Motivation Moment posters from the 2026 CACFP Nutrition Calendar, How Does Your Garden Grow?
There are many ways to enter into our giveaway. Each will give you one extra chance to be selected as our giveaway winner:
- Plan to participate in Farm to CACFP Week? Let us know and you'll also get a free sample menu.
- Enter your name and email address in this form.
- Get the materials and ideas on how to participate by registering for our webinar on September 10 - Root for Local Food: Let's Cheer for Farm to CACFP.
- Register for free training on October 19 during Farm to CACFP Week - Rooted in Goodness: Launching Farm to CACFP with Local Vegetables
You'll also get an entry for attending each of our webinars!
Follow us on Facebook to hear about other ways that you could enter for a chance to win.
Free Resources
Let Us Know You're Celebrating!
Farm to CACFP Week
October 18, 2026 - October 24, 2026
Participating in National Farm to CACFP Week? Let us know!
Register NOW to get on our email list to get all the materials you need to celebrate Farm to CACFP Week.
We'll also immediately send you a FREE Sample Menu!
Free Webinars
Root for Local Food: Let's Cheer for Farm to CACFP
Thursday, September 10 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
NCA is excited to help you celebrate Farm to CACFP Week with resources to get you started. Wondering how to participate? It can be as simple as sharing a newsletter with parents, planning an educational activity with your kids, or creating an interactive experience like starting a garden. Chances are, you’re already doing something that ties into Farm to CACFP! Join us to discover ways to grow your participation and access fresh ideas and resources for inspiration.
Bonus! Everyone who registers will receive a complimentary promo code to access the on-demand session, Root to Fruit: What Grows Where?
Rooted in Goodness: Launching Farm to CACFP with Local Vegetables
Monday, October 19 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Farm to CACFP starts with practical, flexible approaches that can work in any program, regardless of region, season, or budget. Discover how root vegetables can serve as an easy entry point for connecting CACFP menus with local agriculture. Learn CACFP crediting basics, explore simple menu swaps, and participate in a guided menu lab featuring the Local Roots Menu. You'll leave with practical ideas and the confidence to adapt Farm to CACFP strategies using foods that are grown and available in your community.
- Apply Farm to CACFP principles to adjust a sample Local Roots Menu based on regional availability and budget considerations.
- Analyze a sample Local Roots Menu and identify realistic substitutions using locally available, affordable ingredients.
Social Media Challenge
Celebrate Farm to CACFP Week by sharing how you're connecting children and adults with fresh, local foods and hands-on learning. Make it your own or use the sample posts and images provided. Tag @NationalCACFP and use #FarmtoCACFPWeek and #IRootForLocal so we can see and share your celebrations!
One winner will be selected during Farm to CACFP Week to receive a mini-indoor herb garden or vegetable starter kit!
Here are some easy ways to celebrate and share!
- Wear Your "I Root for Local" Card: Show your support for local farmers by printing and wearing the I Root for Local card. Snap a photo of your team, classroom or participants proudly showing their card.
- Caption: "We're proud to #IRootForLocal and celebrate the farmers who help nourish our community! 🍎🌽 @NationalCACFP #FarmtoCACFPWeek #IRootForLocal"
- Farmers Market Basket Activity: Complete the Farmers Market Basket Activity by matching colorful fruits and vegetables to the basket. Share photos of participants showing off their finished activity or talking about their favorite local produce.
- Caption: "Learning about fresh, local foods is always in season! 🍓🥕 We loved completing the Farmers Market Basket Activity during #FarmtoCACFPWeek! @NationalCACFP #IRootForLocal"
- Share a Local Meal or Snack: Feature a CACFP creditable meal or snack made with locally grown ingredients. Tell everyone what local produce you're serving.
- Caption: "Fresh, local and delicious! 🌱 Today we're serving a #CACFPCreditable meal featuring local ingredients. @NationalCACFP #FarmtoCACFPWeek #IRootForLocal"
- Visit a Farmers Market or Garden: Whether you visit a local farmers market, harvest from your garden or invite a local farmer to visit, share your Farm to CACFP experience.
- Caption: "Connecting children with where food comes from is one of our favorite parts of #FarmtoCACFPWeek! 🌻 @NationalCACFP #IRootForLocal"
- Show Off Your Harvest: Share photos of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs or other local foods you're serving or exploring this week.
- Caption: "Celebrating the colors and flavors of local harvests this #FarmtoCACFPWeek! 🥬🍅 @NationalCACFP #IRootForLocal"
- Share a Farm to CACFP Activity: Post a photo of children planting seeds, tasting a new fruit or vegetable, reading a farm-themed book or participating in another Farm to CACFP activity.
- Caption: "Growing healthy habits one activity at a time! 🌱 @NationalCACFP #FarmtoCACFPWeek #IRootForLocal"
Don't have time? No worries. Below is an image ready for you to use! Simply click on an image to open it in a new window, then right-click and select "Save Image As..." to download and share.
Simply click on the image to open it in a new window, then right-click and select "Save Image As..." to download and share.
