NCNC26: Day Four Highlights
April 16, 2026
Attendees enjoyed a fourth day of programming at the National Child Nutrition Conference on Thursday, April 16.
Talking Shop
Attendees were able to start the day by choosing from more 30-minute shop talks. These dynamic, unscripted conversations included:
- Engagement Opportunities for Industry
- Exciting and Engaging Provider Training
- Navigating Challenging Situations at Home Visits
- Onboarding New Centers
The day also ended with more of these small-group discussions, with topics including:
- Family Day Care Home Monitoring Challenges
- Growing Great Directors
- Unlocking More Resources: The Benefits of NCA Membership
- What’s On Your Plate? Optimizing Food Program Management
Workshops
Attendees were able to choose from a variety of workshops during five different hour-long session blocks. Thursday’s lineup also featured one block of 30-minute speed sessions. Once again, there were some standout sessions that packed the house:
- CACFP & Head Start Food Service Regulations
- Self-Care Strategies to Manage Stress and Burnout
- The Crediting Handbook Refresh: What’s New for CACFP Crediting Success
Attendee Perspective: Self-Care Strategies to Manage Stress and Burnout
“I’m a new director, so my plan for the conference was learning different management skills, how to accept different employees while knowing that there are different personalities, and knowing that they can all help build and facilitate a good environment. I chose this session because I oftentimes do feel burnt out, and I don’t know when to go home when my shift is over. One point that really resonated with me was when I feel that burnout, I need to sit, come back to my senses, rejuvenate myself and think about what is causing the burnout and what I need to change.”
-AriReal Gardner, Brazos Valley Community Action Programs
Featured Speakers
Thursday’s lineup ended with three highlighted sessions, which included the USDA providing a Summer Meal Programs Policy Update, along with Nourishing the Nourisher: Self-Care for Child Nutrition Professionals and AI for CACFP: Smarter Tools for Stronger Programs.
Looking Ahead
The conference experience has come to a close for many of our attendees, but NCA continues to offer programming tomorrow morning. All attendees are welcome to join four sessions in the morning: Rising Leaders Coffee Hour, More About CACFP Ask Us Anything, CACFP Professionals: Certification Q&A, and CACFP Meal Pattern Exceptions. Postconference Academies are an option for those looking to add on specialized training, with topics such as NCA’s Annual CACFP Training FY26.
