Earth Day is Coming Up: How Can You Celebrate?
This year, Earth Day is on April 22nd! Celebrating Earth Day is a fun way to connect participants to their food and the environment, while encouraging them to try new things and get the nutrients their bodies need! There are a variety of ways to increase education and engagement and the Humane Society of the United States has drawn up a list of suggestions for festivities surrounding Earth Day/Week/Month.
Meal-O-Matic
Cooking does not have to be complicated in order to be healthy and delicious. That’s why our partners at Dr. Yum Project have designed meal-o-matic to help you make a few basic recipes with the ingredients you love.
March is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month! This year, MyPlate’s theme is “Find the Recipe to a Healthier You,” which is an ode to healthy eating at every age. It’s never too early, or too late to eat healthfully!
21-Day Read Aloud Challenge
How often do you read aloud to the children in your care? Reading aloud to young children, particularly in an engaging manner, promotes emerging literacy and language development and supports the relationship between child and parent/caregiver.
Getting Started with Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE)
Are you interested in using more local foods in your program, but don’t know where to start? Have you heard of Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE)? Farm to ECE offers increased access to healthy foods through local procurement, gardening opportunities, and food and agriculture education activities to enhance the quality of educational experiences. Our partners at the National Farm to School Network have great resources to get you going!
Child Nutrition (CN) Labels
Are you confused by child nutrition (CN) labels? Do you know when you need to get one? Which foods may have a CN label, or how to use them? You are not alone. CN labels can be intimidating but also highly useful. Our partners at the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) have some great resources to guide you through the basics of the CN label!
Tofu Preparation Tips
Did you know that tofu is creditable in the CACFP as a meat/meat alternate? Including Tofu is a great way to diversify your menus and adjust for participants with special diets! Our partners at the Humane Society of the United States have great tip sheet to help you get started serving tofu.
Raising Adventurous Eaters with First Foods
For anyone involved in feeding little ones — whether that’s a parent, caregiver, family member, or friend — timely guidance can make it easier to navigate the ups and downs of each child’s feeding journey. That’s why our partners at Partnership for a Healthier America and the Dr. Yum Project are providing anticipatory guidance on infant feeding and early veggie introduction.
The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Seafood
Take the stress out of planning and preparing family meals with seafood! Our partners at Seafood Nutrition Partnership have some quick tips to make sure your seafood meals turn out delicious every time.
Interactive State Policy Map and Handbook
Our partners at the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) have a fantastic resource to help you stay up to date on state-level policies related to child nutrition. Their interactive State Policy Map allows you to see what in your state/territory during the current legislative session for: Expanding Access for All Kids, Farm to School/Early Care and Education (ECE), Values-Aligned Food Procurement and Equitable Producer Support, Scratch Cooking, School Wellness, and Labor.