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April 13-17, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food

Nutrition Education Track | CEU Specialty 1 | Beginner

New Protein Guidelines: Impacts on CACFP Menus

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight the importance of providing adequate, high‑quality protein to support children’s growth. Review updated protein recommendations and how both animal- and plant-based sources contribute to nutrient‑dense CACFP menus. Discuss protein quality, nutrient density, and practical strategies to select and combine protein foods that meet CACFP requirements.

  1. Understand how the DGAs address children’s protein needs.
  2. Explore how different protein foods fit in menus to meet nutrient goals.
  3. Identify menu strategies and protein choices that meet CACFP requirements.

Presented by

Kristen Hicks-Roof Web

Kristen Hicks-Roof, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND

Director of Human Nutrition, National Pork Board

Ryan Cengel Web

Ryan Cengel, MS, MA, RDN, LD, SNS

Director, Food and Nutrition, Manor ISD

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$669 Members | $789 Non-Members

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Thank you to our...

Partners
Sponsors

Exhibitors

Gold Level

Food for Good by PepsiCo

KidKare by Minute Menu

Silver Level

Champion Foodservice

Diversified Foods Inc.

The Edible Education Group

Food & Supply Source

General Mills

Kaplan Early Learning Company

Oliver Packaging and Equipment

Optimum Foods

Peterson Farms Family of Companies

USA Pulses

Bronze Level

The Amazing Chickpea

Arlington Valley Farms

Brighton Training Group

Choice Partners Cooperative

E S Foods

FitEats K12

Fresh Baby

Gerber Products Company

Harvest Hill Beverage Company

Health-e Pro

Highland Beef Farms

J&J Snack Foods

JA FoodService Corp

Link2Feed

MBC Companies (Bake Crafters & Nardone Bros. Brands)

McLane Hunger Solutions

MH Miles Company, CPA, PC

Myers and Stauffer LC

My Food Program

National Pork Board

Novick Childcare Solutions

NU Health Foods

Rebellyous Foods

Red Gold Tomato & Condiment Products

Starkist

StreamPay

Sun-Maid Growers of California

Sun Pacific

Sunrich Products

Sysco

Tarrier Foods/Rockin'ola

That's it.

UpBup

Wawona Frozen Foods

Your Part-Time Controller

Nonprofit Level

Balanced

Dr. Yum Project

Early Learning Ventures

Institute of Child Nutrition

Leah's Pantry

Team Nutrition