Policy
Off-Site Monitoring in FY25
USDA has the authority to waive statutory or regulatory program requirements for Child Nutrition Programs. State Agencies can submit a 12(l) waiver application to USDA in order to allow for flexibilities, including off-site monitoring, in their state. In Fiscal Year 2025, at least nine States have applied and been approved for an off-site monitoring waiver.
Read MoreCracking open child care budgets at Gov. Stein’s early childhood task force
North Carolina Governor’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education analyze child care budgets to evaluate how to improve pay for early childhood educators.
Read MorePresident’s Budget: Proposed Cuts to Child Nutrition Grants and Training
The White House released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes cuts to discretionary spending for Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs). While the budget maintains full funding for Child Nutrition Programs, like the CACFP and SFSP, the cuts to discretionary spending include the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant and the Institute for Child Nutrition (ICN), a National Ally of NCA.
Read MoreCACFP: Supporting Working Families and Investing in Our Future
The CACFP has many benefits – it supports child care providers and ensures that children and adults in care receive nutritious meals. The CACFP is also critical in supporting working families and supporting the development of young children into successful adults.
Read MoreEnhancing Child Nutrition Program Meal Standards
The USDA released a memorandum stating that they support and encourage states and school districts to experiment with meals to provide interesting, healthy, and diverse meals.
Read MoreWhite House Releases Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment
On May 22, 2025, the White House published the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment which provides an overview of the current state of child health in the United States. The Assessment was created in response to an executive order that established the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. The Assessment will be used to create a Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy which is required to be published by August of this year.
Read MoreFinal Rule: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection
On May 12, 2025, USDA released a final rule titled Child and Adult Care Food Program: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements. The final rule removes section 226.25(g) from the Code of Federal Regulation. This regulation required State agencies to collect and report data related to participating institutions during fiscal years 2006-2009.
Read MoreProvider Appreciation Day
Tomorrow, May 9th, is Provider Appreciation Day! We’ve all heard the phrase “not all superheroes wear capes,” and not to be cheesy, but in this case it is true. Instead of a cape, you may wear an apron, a monitor’s hat, a power of the food program sticker, or an advocate badge. e want you to be supported for the tireless work you do to ensure your community is food and nutrition secure.
Read MoreUsing Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods
USDA released a memorandum to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any Child Nutrition Program (CNP) of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in Program meals.
Read MoreQuarterly Policy Update: April 2025
The start of 2025 has come with many changes as a new administration has taken office and a new Congress has began. So far in 2025, two important CACFP bills have been re-introduced, CACFP Week was recognized nationwide, and a USDA request for information was completed.
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