USDA has released the Reimbursement Rates for 2026-2027. Rates are effective from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
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July 23, 2026 The National CACFP Association (NCA) is proud to announce the launch of the NCA Learning Center, a comprehensive online professional development platform designed specifically for CACFP and child nutrition professionals. For 40 years, NCA has supported the child nutrition community through accessible, affordable training and continuing education. The Learning Center represents the next step…
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Can you add syrups to unflavored cow’s milk and have it be creditable?
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The Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) is a community action agency based in Tacoma, Washington. As part of their various community services, MDC operates as a CACFP sponsor of family homes and child care centers, ensuring nutritious meals to 2,150 children.
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Are acorns creditable as a meat alternate?
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The USDA has released the cash-in-lieu value of USDA foods for 2026-2027. The value has increased by one and a half cents.
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The National CACFP Association (NCA) believes that education and training should be within reach for everyone who serves children and adults in their care. That commitment is why NCA is awarding 92 scholarships to the 2026 CACFP Virtual Summit, providing recipients with free participation in four days of expert-led sessions and connection with peers from across the field.
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https://www.einpresswire.com/article/918726319/national-cacfp-association-opens-call-for-presentations-at-2027-national-child-nutrition-conference-in-chicago
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The National CACFP Association proudly announces U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as the recipient of the 2026 Friend of CACFP Award. This honor recognizes decision-makers who have demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening and advancing the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through leadership, advocacy and meaningful legislative action.
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NCA leaders brought the CACFP story to Las Vegas radio ahead of the 40th annual National Child Nutrition Conference.
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This March, National CACFP Week earned recognition at every level of government, from Congress to state capitals and local districts. The annual education and information campaign, sponsored by the National CACFP Association (NCA), is observed each year during the third week of March and highlights the vital role the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays in combating hunger and promoting nutrition.
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This year’s conference just got even more valuable for registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered. The 40th Annual National Child Nutrition Conference has been approved for 24[MN3.1][IR3.2].5 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.
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During the pandemic, emergency shelters participating in the CACFP were temporarily allowed to claim reimbursement for meals and snacks served to individuals under the age of 25. The Food and Nutrition Service announced that these temporary authorized reimbursements are expected to end on May 11, 2023, concurrent with the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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The Administration has announced that the plan is for the COVID-19 public health emergency to expire on May 11, 2023. In the event that the emergency ends, on June 10, 2023 nationwide onsite monitoring waivers will expire and onsite monitoring requirements for CACFP will be in effect.
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In December 2022, USDA updated the nondiscrimination statement that all FNS nutrition assistance programs, state or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post.
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Food and Nutrition Service released a guidance document on Alternative Protein Products (APP) including Questions and Answers to assist CACFP providers. It is important that CACFP providers understand how to use and properly credit APP in their programs.
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Food and Nutrition Service amended the regulations of the Summer Food Service Program in September 2022 to strengthen program integrity and streamline program administration. The final rule codifies changes that will simplify the application process, enhance monitoring requirements, clarify existing requirements, and provide more discretion at the state agency level to manage program operations.
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Behind every CACFP meal is a system of oversight designed to maintain public trust and protect the people the program serves. Sponsoring organizations ensure compliance, accountability and continued access to nutritious meals while providing ongoing technical assistance. Here are resources that explain how program integrity is upheld in the CACFP.
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Exciting news! Head Start programs have an opportunity to access one-time supplemental funds to support nutrition services and healthy eating for enrolled children and families. You can use this funding for staff training on resources and educational opportunities to help your program improve outcomes for children and families and align with USDA requirements – like the CACFP!
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The Child and Adult Care Food Program has new creditable foods listed on the USDA Food Buying Guide! If you are new to the FBG, this interactive tool allows for easy display, search, and navigation of food yield information. In addition, users can compare yield information, create a favorite foods list, and access tools, such as the Recipe Analysis Workbook (RAW) and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook.
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The Child and Adult Care Food Program community asked for more Spanish resources to be available on the National CACFP Sponsors Association website and we heard you! Available now in Spanish are more resources to help sponsors and providers with meal pattern requirements, best practices, and so much more!
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Serving meals to young people year-round benefits children, families, and care providers. To do this, many providers transition from operating the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) during the school year to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) while school is out. For an overview of the main differences between SFSP and CACFP ARAS, see the comparison chart below.
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NCA understands that the end of flexibilities will cause challenges for many CACFP sponsors and providers and we commend your continued commitment to providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children or adults in your care. In preparation for the end of the additional reimbursement, we have collected the following resources to help you successfully provide meals even if your available budget decreases.
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Can you add syrups to unflavored cow’s milk and have it be creditable?
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Are acorns creditable as a meat alternate?
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Can lemonade or limeade credit as the fruits component?
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July 2, 2026 View this post on Instagram A post shared by National CACFP Association (@nationalcacfp) When planning Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) menus, even the smallest ingredient, like olives, can raise big questions. Are they just a flavorful garnish, or can they credit towards the vegetables component? Understanding how foods are credited is important for staying…
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Is apple butter creditable as a fruit component in the CACFP?
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Is reduced-fat (2%) milk creditable for children ages 1 and up?
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Behind every CACFP meal is a system of oversight designed to maintain public trust and protect the people the program serves. Sponsoring organizations ensure compliance, accountability and continued access to nutritious meals while providing ongoing technical assistance. Here are resources that explain how program integrity is upheld in the CACFP.
Read More
Exciting news! Head Start programs have an opportunity to access one-time supplemental funds to support nutrition services and healthy eating for enrolled children and families. You can use this funding for staff training on resources and educational opportunities to help your program improve outcomes for children and families and align with USDA requirements – like the CACFP!
Read More
The Child and Adult Care Food Program has new creditable foods listed on the USDA Food Buying Guide! If you are new to the FBG, this interactive tool allows for easy display, search, and navigation of food yield information. In addition, users can compare yield information, create a favorite foods list, and access tools, such as the Recipe Analysis Workbook (RAW) and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook.
Read More
The Child and Adult Care Food Program community asked for more Spanish resources to be available on the National CACFP Sponsors Association website and we heard you! Available now in Spanish are more resources to help sponsors and providers with meal pattern requirements, best practices, and so much more!
Read More
Serving meals to young people year-round benefits children, families, and care providers. To do this, many providers transition from operating the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) during the school year to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) while school is out. For an overview of the main differences between SFSP and CACFP ARAS, see the comparison chart below.
Read More
NCA understands that the end of flexibilities will cause challenges for many CACFP sponsors and providers and we commend your continued commitment to providing nutritious meals and snacks to the children or adults in your care. In preparation for the end of the additional reimbursement, we have collected the following resources to help you successfully provide meals even if your available budget decreases.
Read More
USDA published a final rule that allows CACFP operators to offer whole or reduced-fat milk to participants ages two and up. Here’s what the research says about milk fat in early childhood.
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The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released their Afterschool Supper report that snapshots participation in October 2024. They found that afterschool supper participation has increased and that CACFP represents 50% of the daily participation.
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The Stanford Center on Early Childhood released a RAPID report that looks at how issues of food insecurity and hunger are affecting adults who provide care for young children. Their key finding: hunger is on the rise among child care providers.
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USDA released their second report on the Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings (SNACS-II), which follow their first in 2022. SNACS-II uses data from program year 2022-23 to assess how well children’s diets and CACFP meals align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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A recent study by our partners at Child Care Aware® of America reveals that parents across the nation are struggling to find affordable, high-quality child care. The survey shows that parents are piecing together multiple care arrangements and facing challenges balancing work and caregiving.
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The CDC’s 2025 Early Childhood Nutrition Report gives us a big-picture look at how young children in the U.S. are eating and growing. It focuses on kids from birth to age 5 and shares important facts about breastfeeding, starting solid foods, eating healthy and how states support good nutrition.
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The Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) is a community action agency based in Tacoma, Washington. As part of their various community services, MDC operates as a CACFP sponsor of family homes and child care centers, ensuring nutritious meals to 2,150 children.
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As Vice President of Business Operations with Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Mark Jacoby ensures that 14,000 children receive nutritious meals.
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Keala Menza is the Food Program Manager at PATCH Hawai’i, a child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agency that operates as the only CACFP sponsor in Hawai’i. Read more about their work.
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Joanne Varnes is the Program Manager at Catholic Charities – Diocese of Wilmington. Learn more about their work as a CACFP sponsor in Delaware.
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Paula Barton is the Executive Director and Amy Warby is the Associate Director of Alliance For Children, a sponsor of homes and child care centers across Utah.
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Enrique Viejon Jr. is the Comprehensive Services Manager at Educare of Washington DC which runs two Head Start centers and is a CACFP sponsor for six centers. Learn more about Enrique’s work!
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Proposed Rule: Revisions to Meal Patterns to be Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The USDA released a document with proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns in order to be consistent with the 2020 dietary guidelines for Americans. Key proposed changes that affect CACFP include:
1. New “added sugar” standards for breakfast cereals and yogurts
Read More2. Flavored milk restrictions, dependent on age-group
3. Vegetables can be substituted for grains in programs that primarily serve American Indian or Alaska Native children
4. Nuts and seeds may credit for the full meat/meat alternate component
5. Terminology Changes