National CACFP Association Announces Farm to CACFP Week 2026
August 27, 2026
The National CACFP Association (NCA) will celebrate Farm to CACFP Week from October 18–24, 2026, an annual education campaign encouraging child and adult care providers to connect the foods they serve with local agriculture, producers and their communities.
Farm to CACFP Week highlights the many ways care programs can incorporate local foods and agricultural education into their CACFP operations. From serving seasonal produce and purchasing from local farmers to growing a garden, exploring new foods or learning where food comes from, Farm to CACFP offers opportunities to bring food, education and community connections together.
“Farm to CACFP is about more than gardening,” said Alexia Thex, NCA President. “It’s about creating meaningful connections between the food we serve, the people who grow it and the children and adults in our care. There are so many ways programs can participate, and Farm to CACFP Week is a great opportunity to get started.”
Throughout the week, providers are encouraged to participate in Farm to CACFP activities, share their #CACFPCreditable meals featuring local ingredients and explore resources that can be used in their programs.
Explore Farm to CACFP Resources
NCA has developed resources to help providers plan and participate throughout the week. These resources include activities, recipes, sample menus and other ideas for incorporating local foods and agricultural education into care settings.
Whether a program is planting a garden, serving seasonal produce, conducting a taste test, connecting with a local farmer or simply helping children learn where their food comes from, the resources are designed to make participation accessible and engaging.
Explore Farm to CACFP Week resources at cacfp.org/farmtocacfpweek.
About Farm to CACFP
Farm to CACFP connects child and adult care providers with local agriculture through food, education and hands-on experiences. Activities such as taste tests, gardening, farm visits, seasonal food exploration and purchasing local foods can encourage healthy eating habits, introduce participants to new foods and strengthen connections to the community.
Farm to CACFP can also create opportunities for local producers by providing a consistent market for locally-grown foods. By bringing local agriculture into care settings, programs can support both the people they serve and the communities around them.