Posts Tagged ‘child nutrition’
Processed Foods: Making Nutritious Choices
There is a common belief that processed foods, with their high fat, sugar, and salt content, are inherently unhealthy. Did you know some items we consider “nutritious,” like bagged spinach or prepacked apple slices, are also processed foods? Our partners at the Institute of Child Nutrition delve into the different levels of processed foods and offers guidance on making healthy choices.
Read MoreAdapted Movement
Disabilities can affect a person’s mobility, one or more of their senses, or their neurological development. However, this shouldn’t keep people with disabilities from being involved in games and activities. Our partners at Alliance for a Healthier Generation have tips on how to adapt movements to ensure young people with and without disabilities can play together and experience the benefits of being active.
Read MoreStretch, Breathe, Move!
Our bodies can teach us a lot about our feelings, and our bodies can also help us understand and manage our feelings. Our partners at Sesame Street in Communities have resources to help you encourage children to notice the “clues” their bodies give them about what they may be feeling (for instance, a stomachache may be a sign that they’re feeling worried). Then, show them how to use their bodies to help them manage their feelings.
Read MoreRegistered Dietitian Medical Statements
The USDA released a memorandum to clarify the updated regulatory requirement for program operators to accept medical statements from registered dietitians. The change requiring program operators to accept medical statements from registered dietitians must be implemented by July 1, 2025, for school meal programs and Oct. 1, 2025, for CACFP.
Read MoreUSDA Request for Information: CNP Tribal Pilot Project
On December 23, 2024, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service released a request for information (RFI) to inform their development of the Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects, as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. The Act provided $2 million for Tribal Pilot Projects that will permit Indian Tribes and/or Tribal organizations to administer Child Nutrition Programs, assuming the roles and responsibilities typically held by State agencies.
Read MoreCACFP Emergency Shelter Characteristics Study
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.
Read MoreFeeding Infants in the CACFP: Updated Guidance
USDA updated previous guidance on Feeding Infants in the CACFP. Updates include information on medical statements, substituting vegetables for grains in specific groups, added sugar limits, and tofu and tempeh crediting.
Read MoreGrain Requirements in the CACFP Q&A
The USDA released a memorandum to provide updated guidance on the provisions of the 2024 final rule that apply to the grains requirements in the CACFP, which included adding a definition for whole grain-rich into CACFP regulations; changing product-based limits for breakfast cereals and yogurts from total sugars to added sugars; and updating guidance on substituting vegetables to meet the grains requirements for eligible program operators.
Read MoreTime to Reflect: Share Your Story
The new year is just around the corner, which means this is the perfect time to reflect. What you do matters. Take a moment and really think about how your work impacts those that you serve, whether it’s the children or adults in your care, providers that you support, or sponsoring organizations you work with. Share your story with NCA!
Read MoreOpportunity for States to Access Funding to Purchase Local Food for CACFP
USDA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity on December 10, 2024, for State agencies to access funds to purchase and distribute local foods for schools and CACFP child care providers in their state. USDA has committed $188.6 million specifically for institutions participating in the CACFP. State agencies must submit a proposal in order to access these funds for the schools and CACFP providers in their state and there can only be one application per state. Funds will be awarded through a non-competitive process based on a formula using the meal counts of participants of the CACFP in each State. Cooperative agreements will be for a period of three years from the time of award.
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