NCNC26: Day Three Highlights
April 15, 2026
It was another full day of programming at the Westgate in Las Vegas as workshops got into full swing at the National Child Nutrition Conference on Wednesday, April 15.
Talking Shop
Attendees were able to start the day by choosing from a variety of 30-minute shop talks. These dynamic, unscripted conversations included:
- Capturing Cultural Flavors
- Engaging Head Start Families in Nutrition and Wellness
- Essentials for a Successful Summer Food Service Program
- Financial Backups for Fiscal Audiences
The day also ended with more of these small-group discussions, with topics including:
- Advocating for CACFP: Successes and Strategies
- Ask a Nutritionist: Is It Creditable?
- CACFP Office Innovations Mixer
- Shelf-Stable Food in the CACFP & SFSP
Workshops
Attendees were able to choose from a variety of workshops during five different session blocks. Speakers provided energizing learning opportunities on topics ranging from CACFP basics to self-care strategies. Three sessions were highly anticipated by attendees and were standing room only:
- MAHA’s Impact on the CACFP and Child Nutrition Programs
- Resilience is Everything
- Compliance and Special Diets in the CACFP
Attendee Perspective: Compliance and Special Diets in the CACFP
“I wanted to come to this session to get updates and new information. My supervisors told me that I definitely wanted to get this kind of review at the conference. I’m a cook, and I have kids with allergies, so I wanted to know if I’m doing the right thing or if there are things that I can improve. After this session, I am more confident that I am on the right path. And that makes me happy, because it’s for the kids, and we have to do our best.”
-Hazel Pineda, Long Island Head Start
Exhibitors Making an Impact
The Exhibit Hall was open for one more block of time on Wednesday afternoon, after which the exhibitors donated over 1,300 pounds of food to the Three Square Food Bank.
Looking Ahead
We have one more day of workshops to look forward to on Thursday, including one slot of 30-minute speed sessions. In addition to shop talks, attendees can also sit in on our Featured Speakers at the end of the day, which include the USDA Summer Meal Programs Policy Update, Nourishing the Nourisher: Self-Care for Child Nutrition Professionals, and AI for CACFP: Smarter Tools for Stronger Programs.
