National CACFP Week, an annual education and information campaign sponsored by the National CACFP Association, is observed every year during the third week of March. From March 16-22, 2025, the week was officially recognized at the federal, state and local levels. This nationwide initiative highlights the critical role the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays in combating hunger and promoting nutrition.
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This year, National CACFP Week was formally recognized at federal, state, and local levels. Read more to learn how your peers raised awareness of the CACFP!
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Does tomato paste and tomato puree credit based on the volume served?
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The 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC25) is set to be an inspiring and impactful event, bringing together professionals dedicated to child nutrition and community advocacy. This year’s General Session will feature an exceptional lineup of speakers, led by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, keynote speaker Mike Brown, Jr. and remarks from NCA leadership and USDA.
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Is there a milk transition period for infants and preschool age children?
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This year, National CACFP Week was formally recognized at federal, state, and local levels. Read more to learn how your peers raised awareness of the CACFP!
Read More
The 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC25) is set to be an inspiring and impactful event, bringing together professionals dedicated to child nutrition and community advocacy. This year’s General Session will feature an exceptional lineup of speakers, led by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, keynote speaker Mike Brown, Jr. and remarks from NCA leadership and USDA.
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Inspired by NCNC25 Keynote Speaker Mike Brown, Jr.
The National Child Nutrition Conference is more than just a training opportunity, it’s a chance for our community to come together, connect and get inspired. This year, we are thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, Mike Brown, Jr., MS, CFRE, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.
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Check out these virtual events coming up this month at NCA!
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The National CACFP Association proudly announces the upcoming 39th annual National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC), set to take place both in-person at The Anatole Dallas and virtually online. The event will bring together over 2,100 passionate individuals from organizations across the country including child care centers, home providers, sponsoring organizations, school districts, afterschool programs, Head Start programs, Food Banks, tribal nations, and State Agencies.
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NCA would like to congratulate the 2025 recipients!
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This year, National CACFP Week was formally recognized at federal, state, and local levels. Read more to learn how your peers raised awareness of the CACFP!
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In December 2024, USDA released a request for information about grain-based dessert and high-protein yogurt crediting. After meeting with members and extensive research NCA has submitted our response to USDA stating our position on potential changes.
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On January 27, President Trump’s office issued a memorandum based on his executive orders which calls for temporarily pausing federal funding. This has caused concern to many programs and people, including those in our community.
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National CACFP Week will be here before you know it! This year March 16-22 marks this national education campaign designed to raise awareness of the CACFP and its contribution to combating hunger. Ask Your Governor to Proclaim March 16-22, 2025 as National CACFP Week!
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The end of 2024 brought many changes and updates for the CACFP. USDA announced funding for child care to purchase local, released two requests for information, released seven pieces of guidance, published two studies.
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A new congress means there is an opportunity to push new priorities forward. Let your Representatives and Senators know that child nutrition is a priority for their constituents.
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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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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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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 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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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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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.
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Does tomato paste and tomato puree credit based on the volume served?
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Is there a milk transition period for infants and preschool age children?
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Is a medical statement needed for meal modifications due to disability reasons?
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Are there updated sugar limits for breakfast cereals in the CACFP?
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Are there updated sugar limits for yogurt in the CACFP?
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Can a milk and fruit smoothie be served as the only item at snack?
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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
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
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 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
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
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
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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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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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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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 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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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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Beth Carlton is the Executive Director of Child Care Links , a sponsoring organization in Kansas that sponsors approximately 170 family child care homes and two centers that serve meals to around 1,800 children. Hear from Beth!
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Hear from three outstanding CACFP sponsoring organizations about the work that they do with CACFP providers to ensure the children and adults in their care receive nutritious meals.
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Kate Abernathy is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Providers Choice which is a state-wide sponsoring organization of 3,000 family child care homes and 90 centers in Minnesota. Hear from Kate!
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Rache Cross is the Senior Director of CACFP at Caring People Alliance which sponsors family child care homes, child care centers, and At-Risk Afterschool sites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Next week is National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week! Over 138,000 child and adult care providers serve nutritious meals to over 4.5 million children and adults every day with the help of 24,000 supporting institutions. Join us in celebrating throughout the week.
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Alix Pasillas is the Executive Director of Food For Kids, Inc. which sponsors 137 child care centers, family child care homes, and adult care centers across Nevada. Learn why Alix thinks Food For Kids is a successful sponsor.
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NCA Response – Request for Information on Grain-Based Dessert and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting
In December 2024, USDA released a request for information about grain-based dessert and high-protein yogurt crediting. After meeting with members and extensive research NCA has submitted our response to USDA stating our position on potential changes.
Read More