2025 Preconference

Are you just starting out with the CACFP? Start your week off with a deep dive into the core fundamentals of the food program. Learn about the meal patterns and the five food components served in the CACFP, as well as tips and strategies for implementation in your operations.

Infants experience rapid changes in the brain and body making it important to ensure they receive proper nutrition regularly. Discover updated requirements for serving infants based on their growth and development. Explore updates to the infant meal pattern, as well as tips and strategies for implementation.

Mealtimes are important for young children because they provide opportunities for them to learn new skills and develop eating habits. The first three years are the most critical time in a person’s life because the brain grows the fastest during this period and children are more receptive to acquiring these proficiencies. Learn best practices for creating positive and safe mealtime environments for young children to carry into adulthood

Are you looking to find a way to share your institutional knowledge and create a pathway for the success of the organization once you retire or move on? If you’ve been managing operations for a considerable amount of time and want to learn how to exit or grow into a new role while protecting the food program and those you serve, learn about strategies you can use while contributing to the conversation.

Efficient program monitoring and oversight are essential in the CACFP and for ensuring the success of your organization. Discover best practices and opportunities of how to conduct reviews that not only meet program requirements, but also support and lift up the child care provider. Expand your understanding of effective oversight and ensure program compliance with confidence.

Operating the CACFP in Head Start is a requirement, but do you know the differences between what’s a CACFP regulation and what is mandated by Head Start? Learn what the Head Start performance standards that govern child nutrition are and how they align with the CACFP to provide good nutrition to children. Gain an understanding of the requirements and hear about the latest updates in Head Start performance standards for child nutrition. 

Develop meal planning techniques that can be used to serve healthy and appealing meals and snacks that meet CACFP and preschool meal pattern requirements. Learn how to accommodate food allergies, incorporate multi-cultural recipes and locally-sourced foods, develop strategies for creating custom menus, and go home with menus you can use immediately or as inspiration. 

Join us for a 101-level overview of the generally accepted source documentation to support allowable costs for CACFP operations. Training will include group activities, discussion on proposed program costs that are often questioned, and tools to assist with avoiding common budget submission mistakes.

Medical statements have an important role within the CACFP. Do you know when they are required? Are you confident in your menu planning when you have one on file? Gain a deeper understanding of how medical statements support accommodating special diets, including food allergies and milk substitutions, ensuring that all participants receive appropriate and nutritious meals. Learn how to create an inclusive and supportive meal environment for those in your care.