NCA FY25 Advocacy Round-Up
October 22, 2025
CACFP advocacy is central to the mission of National CACFP Association (NCA) and NCA is continuously working to support and advocate for you! This year, we’ve worked to help raise awareness, expand and improve the CACFP. Your NCA membership supports these efforts. THANK YOU!
5 Big Accomplishments in FY 2025
- Advocated for and endorsed two vital CACFP bills in Congress
- Submitted a comprehensive response to the USDA Request for Information on Grain-Based Dessert and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting and supported over 450 members of our community in their comments
- Responded to USDA’s Reorganization Plan to highlight potential impact on CACFP
- Coordinated bipartisan, bicameral congressional recognition for National CACFP Week Recognition and proclamations in 14 states
- Launched initiative to promote Farm to CACFP
Endorsed and Advocated for Vital CACFP BillsÂ
This past year, NCA endorsed 2 bills that are critical to improving the CACFP: the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act. Both bills make important improvements to the CACFP that would benefit operators and expand access to the program. In order to garner more congressional support for the bills, NCA launched two campaigns that made it quick and easy for our community to send a letter to their congressional officials. As a result, over 7,000 letters were sent by advocates from every state.
Supported Our Community in Commenting on USDA’s RFI Â
In December 2024, USDA released a Request for Information on Grain-Based Dessert and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting. NCA provided a response to USDA’s RFI after meeting with NCA members and conducting extensive research. NCA also supported over 470 community members in submitting their personalized responses to USDA on this RFI.
Responded to USDA Reorganization Plan
In July 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the reorganization of the USDA. NCA submitted comments to USDA on the reduction in force at the national office, as well as the relocation and reduction in the number of FNS regions. NCA’s comment highlights the reorganization’s potential impact on USDA’s ability to provide timely technical assistance, loss of employees with critical programmatic knowledge, and risk to program integrity for Child Nutrition Programs.
CACFP Recognition in Twelve States and CongressÂ
National CACFP Week in 2025 garnered bi-partisan recognition at the federal and state level. NCA engaged congressional offices in the House and the Senate to introduce resolutions for National CACFP Week. Senator Boozman, Senator Klobuchar and Representative Bonamici championed a bi-partisan, bi-cameral resolution. In addition, advocates in twelve states worked with their governors to proclaim the third week of March as CACFP Week in their state.
Launched Farm to CACFP Campaign
NCA hosted its inaugural Farm to CACFP Week in October of 2025. Farm to CACFP Week is a national education campaign hosted annually during the third week of October by the National CACFP Association. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting child and adult care sponsors and operators with local foods.
Looking Forward to FY2026
- NCA is committed to building an engaged community of advocates! Want to be a part of it? Make the pledge to be a CACFP Advocate.
- NCA is increasing our outreach efforts to teach more providers about the CACFP.
- Stay in the know about new and upcoming policies with our quarterly policy updates.
- Expect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to be released in late 2025. NCA will keep our community informed on changes impacting child nutrition programs.