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Thursday Highlights: Innovation & Inspiration at the National Child Nutrition Conference

April 17, 2025

Thursday continued the momentum with engaging discussions, thought-provoking workshops, and insightful featured speakers. Here’s a recap of the day’s key moments, with space for attendee reflections!

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Midweek Momentum: Wednesday Recap at the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 17, 2025

Wednesday was packed with workshops, networking, and key policy updates, keeping the energy high as attendees gained valuable insights. Here are the highlights, with space for attendee reflections!

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Diving Into the National Child Nutrition Conference: Tuesday Recap 

April 15, 2025

The first full day of the National Child Nutrition Conference was packed with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and important discussions on child nutrition policy and best practices. Here’s a look at the highlights from Tuesday.

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2025 National Child Nutrition Conference Awards CPEUs in Accordance with the commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program

April 15, 2025

Attendees of the 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference can receive up to 16.5 hours of CEUs, accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

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Kicking Off the National Child Nutrition Conference: Monday Recap 

April 14, 2025

The National Child Nutrition Conference is officially underway! Monday was an exciting preconference day filled with invaluable sessions, networking opportunities, and in-depth discussions on child nutrition programs. Here’s a recap of the day’s events:

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Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grain-Rich for Infants

April 11, 2025

Do CACFP operators need to provide one whole grain-rich grain per day when serving infants?

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Thursday Highlights: Innovation & Inspiration at the National Child Nutrition Conference

April 17, 2025

Thursday continued the momentum with engaging discussions, thought-provoking workshops, and insightful featured speakers. Here’s a recap of the day’s key moments, with space for attendee reflections!

Read More

Midweek Momentum: Wednesday Recap at the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 17, 2025

Wednesday was packed with workshops, networking, and key policy updates, keeping the energy high as attendees gained valuable insights. Here are the highlights, with space for attendee reflections!

Read More

Diving Into the National Child Nutrition Conference: Tuesday Recap 

April 15, 2025

The first full day of the National Child Nutrition Conference was packed with insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and important discussions on child nutrition policy and best practices. Here’s a look at the highlights from Tuesday.

Read More

2025 National Child Nutrition Conference Awards CPEUs in Accordance with the commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program

April 15, 2025

Attendees of the 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference can receive up to 16.5 hours of CEUs, accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Read More

Kicking Off the National Child Nutrition Conference: Monday Recap 

April 14, 2025

The National Child Nutrition Conference is officially underway! Monday was an exciting preconference day filled with invaluable sessions, networking opportunities, and in-depth discussions on child nutrition programs. Here’s a recap of the day’s events:

Read More

April Virtual Events

April 1, 2025

April Virtual Events April 1, 2025 We’re only two weeks away from the National Child Nutrition Conference in Dallas, TX. No April Fool’s pranks here! Before we see you in Dallas though, be sure to catch our next webinar on “Supporting Autism in Early Childhood Settings”. After this we start diving into all things conference.…

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Early Implementation of Meal Pattern Requirements

June 24, 2016

Early Implementation of the updated CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements will allow opperators to ask questions and better plan for success.

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The Use of Share Tables

June 22, 2016

Reduce waste and improve nutrition by implementing the use of share tables.

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Congressional CACFP Awareness Campaign

January 21, 2016

NCA send postcards to increase the awareness of the benefits and impact of the CACFP.

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More Native Foods Added to the Food Buying Guide

September 6, 2023

The Child and Adult Care Food Program has new creditable foods listed on the USDA Food Buying Guide! If you are new to the FBG, this interactive tool allows for easy display, search, and navigation of food yield information. In addition, users can compare yield information, create a favorite foods list, and access tools, such as the Recipe Analysis Workbook (RAW) and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook.

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We’re Expanding Our Spanish-Language Resources!

August 2, 2023

The Child and Adult Care Food Program community asked for more Spanish resources to be available on the National CACFP Sponsors Association website and we heard you! Available now in Spanish are more resources to help sponsors and providers with meal pattern requirements, best practices, and so much more!

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Program Comparison Chart: CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and SFSP

June 21, 2023

Serving meals to young people year-round benefits children, families, and care providers. To do this, many providers transition from operating the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) during the school year to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) while school is out. For an overview of the main differences between SFSP and CACFP ARAS, see the comparison chart below.

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NCA Support as Covid-19 Flexibilities Come to an End

June 16, 2023

NCA understands that the end of flexibilities will cause challenges for many CACFP sponsors and providers and we commend your continued commitment to providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children or adults in your care. In preparation for the end of the additional reimbursement, we have collected the following resources to help you successfully provide meals even if your available budget decreases.

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New Feature Available on the Exhibit A Grains Tool

March 22, 2023

The Exhibit A Grains Tool has a new feature that allows users to select their Program and Meal to filter the search results to only creditable grain items for their specific Program.

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New Factsheet for ECE Providers from the CDC

March 16, 2023

CDC created three new fact sheets for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers about Early Child Nutrition and Feeding. The fact sheets offer tips and best practices for supporting breastfeeding families, information about safe storage and handling of breastmilk, and strategies for introducing solid foods.

Read More

Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grain-Rich for Infants

April 11, 2025

Do CACFP operators need to provide one whole grain-rich grain per day when serving infants?

Read More

Meal Pattern Minute: Edamame

April 4, 2025

Are edamame creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Tomato Sauce

March 28, 2025

Does tomato sauce credit by volume served in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Tomato Paste and Tomato Puree

March 22, 2025

Does tomato paste and tomato puree credit based on the volume served?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Milk Transition Period

March 14, 2025

Is there a milk transition period for infants and preschool age children?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Medical Statements for Disability Reasons

March 7, 2025

Is a medical statement needed for meal modifications due to disability reasons?

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More Native Foods Added to the Food Buying Guide

September 6, 2023

The Child and Adult Care Food Program has new creditable foods listed on the USDA Food Buying Guide! If you are new to the FBG, this interactive tool allows for easy display, search, and navigation of food yield information. In addition, users can compare yield information, create a favorite foods list, and access tools, such as the Recipe Analysis Workbook (RAW) and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook.

Read More

We’re Expanding Our Spanish-Language Resources!

August 2, 2023

The Child and Adult Care Food Program community asked for more Spanish resources to be available on the National CACFP Sponsors Association website and we heard you! Available now in Spanish are more resources to help sponsors and providers with meal pattern requirements, best practices, and so much more!

Read More

Program Comparison Chart: CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and SFSP

June 21, 2023

Serving meals to young people year-round benefits children, families, and care providers. To do this, many providers transition from operating the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) during the school year to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) while school is out. For an overview of the main differences between SFSP and CACFP ARAS, see the comparison chart below.

Read More

NCA Support as Covid-19 Flexibilities Come to an End

June 16, 2023

NCA understands that the end of flexibilities will cause challenges for many CACFP sponsors and providers and we commend your continued commitment to providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children or adults in your care. In preparation for the end of the additional reimbursement, we have collected the following resources to help you successfully provide meals even if your available budget decreases.

Read More

New Feature Available on the Exhibit A Grains Tool

March 22, 2023

The Exhibit A Grains Tool has a new feature that allows users to select their Program and Meal to filter the search results to only creditable grain items for their specific Program.

Read More

New Factsheet for ECE Providers from the CDC

March 16, 2023

CDC created three new fact sheets for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers about Early Child Nutrition and Feeding. The fact sheets offer tips and best practices for supporting breastfeeding families, information about safe storage and handling of breastmilk, and strategies for introducing solid foods.

Read More

CACFP Emergency Shelter Characteristics Study

December 23, 2024

The “Characteristics of Emergency Shelters Participating in the CACFP” study by USDA seeks to better understand the characteristics of CACFP emergency shelters, who they serve, how CACFP fits into their operations, and their challenges with CACFP. The study was conducted in 2023 and collected data from 242 emergency shelters that participate in CACFP in Fiscal Year 2023.

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FCCH Provider Perception of Increased Pandemic Reimbursement

December 5, 2024

A survey was administered in the spring of 2023 of licensed California family child care homes (FCCH) to assess the perceived impacts of the increased reimbursement during the Covid-19 pandemic on CACFP participation and anticipated challenges with reinstated tiered rates.

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Adult Day Care Centers in the CACFP Study

December 4, 2024

The USDA recently released a study on the “Characteristics of Adult Day Care Centers that Participate in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program” which seeks to better understand key characteristics of adult day care centers participating in CACFP.

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2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service

November 21, 2024

USDA released a survey report focused on SFSP and SSO sponsors who operated the non-congregate meal service option in qualifying rural areas in summer 2023.

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Afterschool Supper Participation Increased but Remains Low 

November 7, 2024

Afterschool Snack Programs include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Through NSLP schools can serve one snack afterschool, however through the CACFP schools and sponsoring organizations are able to serve a snack in addition to a supper. This additional supper is an important opportunity to meet children’s nutritional needs after the school day is over. A report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) found that afterschool supper participation increased from October 2022 to October 2023 by 6%.

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Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024

August 22, 2024

FRAC’s latest report, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024, reveals a drop in the number of children receiving nutrition over the summer following the loss of pandemic-era waivers.

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Sponsor Spotlight: Michelle Buchanan of CASEWV

April 2, 2025

Michelle Buchanan serves as the Food Program Director at the Community Action of Southeastern West Virginia, a sponsoring organization of 65 family child care homes. Learn about her journey in the CACFP!

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Sponsor Spotlight: Denise Andrews of For the Children, Inc.

March 3, 2025

Denise Andrews is CEO and Director of For the Children, Inc. which is a sponsoring organization of family child care homes in Oklahoma. Learn about her journey in the CACFP!

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The Power of the Food Program: Food Banks

November 20, 2024

Most people think food banks only provide food boxes for those in need. However, food banks do so much more and may also sponsor one or more federal nutrition programs, such as the CACFP. While most CACFP sponsoring organizations are only responsible for the administration and oversight of the program at their sponsored sites, food banks often provide the meals for their sponsored sites as well. The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is a great example.

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The Power of the Food Program in Tribal Nations

November 4, 2024

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs (CTWS) is a sponsor of the CACFP for their early childhood education center that operates a day care program for infants to children aged 3, as well as a Head start program for 3 to 5 year old children. Read about how they operate the CACFP!

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Sponsor Spotlight: Leah Penna with FP Assistance

October 10, 2024

Leah Penna is the President and Founder of FP Assistance, a sponsor of unaffiliated centers and afterschool sites across the state of Texas. Hear from Leah!

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Power of the Food Program: Schools

September 25, 2024

The CACFP is operated any many different settings, including child care, adult care, and emergency shelters. The CACFP also has an At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) component that allows sites to serve children and teenagers 18 and under up to one snack and a supper. Not only are eligible sites able to serve meals after the school day, but they can also provide a meal and snack on weekends and during school closures.

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