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Secretary Rollins Announces USDA Reorganization

July 28, 2025

Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the department’s reorganization plan. Over the next two years, USDA plans to consolidate the FNS Regional Offices from seven to five hubs.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Jicama

July 25, 2025

Is jicama creditable in the CACFP?

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2025-2026 CACFP Reimbursement Rates

July 24, 2025

The USDA has released the Reimbursement Rates for 2025-2026. Rates are effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

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Scholarship Recipients Announced for Virtual Summit 2025

July 23, 2025

The 2025 CACFP Virtual Summit Scholarship winners have been announced! View the list of all 95 winners.

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CACFP: A Critical Support for Child Care

July 23, 2025

The CACFP has many benefits – it supports child care providers and ensures that children and adults in care receive nutritious meals. The CACFP is also critical in supporting child care businesses by decreasing costs that can be reallocated towards program improvement, staff wages, or lower tuition rates.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Bean Flour Pasta

July 18, 2025

Can pasta that is made from 100% bean flour credit towards the grains component?

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Scholarship Recipients Announced for Virtual Summit 2025

July 23, 2025

The 2025 CACFP Virtual Summit Scholarship winners have been announced! View the list of all 95 winners.

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Coming Up! Farm to CACFP Events

July 8, 2025

Farm to CACFP connects providers to local food producers with the objectives of serving locally-grown foods and providing nutrition education. Check out these upcoming events at NCA!

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National Child Nutrition Conference Celebrates 40 Years, Opens Call for Presenters for NCNC26 inLas Vegas

June 20, 2025

The National CACFP Association (NCA) proudly announces the 2026 National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC26), celebrating 40 years of advancing nutrition in child and adult care settings across the country.

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June Virtual Events

June 2, 2025

Get a rundown on all things happening in June at NCA. Our Meal Pattern Boot camp is happening this month. Don’t miss out!

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National CACFP Association Reinforces Commitment to Continuing Education Through Expanded Training Opportunities

May 22, 2025

The National CACFP Association (NCA) is reaffirming its commitment to continuing education by offering a variety of virtual training opportunities that support child nutrition professionals at every stage of their careers.

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Coming This Summer! CACFP Meal Pattern Boot Camp

May 13, 2025

Serving reimbursable meals begins with a solid understanding of the CACFP meal pattern. Learn more with our Meal Pattern Boot Camp!

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Secretary Rollins Announces USDA Reorganization

July 28, 2025

Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the department’s reorganization plan. Over the next two years, USDA plans to consolidate the FNS Regional Offices from seven to five hubs.

Read More

2025-2026 CACFP Reimbursement Rates

July 24, 2025

The USDA has released the Reimbursement Rates for 2025-2026. Rates are effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Read More

CACFP: A Critical Support for Child Care

July 23, 2025

The CACFP has many benefits – it supports child care providers and ensures that children and adults in care receive nutritious meals. The CACFP is also critical in supporting child care businesses by decreasing costs that can be reallocated towards program improvement, staff wages, or lower tuition rates.

Read More

USDA and HHS Notice: CNPs and Head Start as Federal Public Benefit

July 14, 2025

USDA and HHS each released a notice stating that many programs under the jurisdiction of both departments are now interpreted as “Federal Public Benefits,” including all CNPs and Head Start. The notices aim to address whether citizenship or qualified immigration status must be verified in order for a child to participate in these federal programs.

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USDA Rescinds Guidance on Interpretation of Discrimination Based on Sex 

July 7, 2025

The USDA released a memorandum rescinding 2022 guidance regarding the interpretation of discrimination based on “sex.” The 2022 guidance redefined the definition of “sex” to include gender identity and sexual orientation. Therefore, the rescission of this guidance will revert USDA’s definition back to its previous interpretation and omit mention of gender identity and sexual orientation.

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Off-Site Monitoring in FY25

June 30, 2025

USDA has the authority to waive statutory or regulatory program requirements for Child Nutrition Programs. State Agencies can submit a 12(l) waiver application to USDA in order to allow for flexibilities, including off-site monitoring, in their state. In Fiscal Year 2025, at least nine States have applied and been approved for an off-site monitoring waiver.

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More Native Foods Added to the Food Buying Guide

September 6, 2023

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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We’re Expanding Our Spanish-Language Resources!

August 2, 2023

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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Program Comparison Chart: CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and SFSP

June 21, 2023

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 Support as Covid-19 Flexibilities Come to an End

June 16, 2023

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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New Feature Available on the Exhibit A Grains Tool

March 22, 2023

The Exhibit A Grains Tool has a new feature that allows users to select their Program and Meal to filter the search results to only creditable grain items for their specific Program.

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New Factsheet for ECE Providers from the CDC

March 16, 2023

CDC created three new fact sheets for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers about Early Child Nutrition and Feeding. The fact sheets offer tips and best practices for supporting breastfeeding families, information about safe storage and handling of breastmilk, and strategies for introducing solid foods.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Jicama

July 25, 2025

Is jicama creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Bean Flour Pasta

July 18, 2025

Can pasta that is made from 100% bean flour credit towards the grains component?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Crediting Corn

July 11, 2025

Does corn credit as a vegetable or a grain in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Toddler Formula

July 4, 2025

Is formula made for toddlers creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Enriched Grains as First Ingredient

June 27, 2025

If a grain product list enriched grains as the first ingredient, is the product creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Serving Milk to Mixed Ages

June 20, 2025

Can a mixed age group of 1- and 2-year-olds all be served unflavored 1% milk in the CACFP?

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More Native Foods Added to the Food Buying Guide

September 6, 2023

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

We’re Expanding Our Spanish-Language Resources!

August 2, 2023

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

Program Comparison Chart: CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and SFSP

June 21, 2023

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 Support as Covid-19 Flexibilities Come to an End

June 16, 2023

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

New Feature Available on the Exhibit A Grains Tool

March 22, 2023

The Exhibit A Grains Tool has a new feature that allows users to select their Program and Meal to filter the search results to only creditable grain items for their specific Program.

Read More

New Factsheet for ECE Providers from the CDC

March 16, 2023

CDC created three new fact sheets for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers about Early Child Nutrition and Feeding. The fact sheets offer tips and best practices for supporting breastfeeding families, information about safe storage and handling of breastmilk, and strategies for introducing solid foods.

Read More

2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service

November 21, 2024

USDA released a survey report focused on SFSP and SSO sponsors who operated the non-congregate meal service option in qualifying rural areas in summer 2023.

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Afterschool Supper Participation Increased but Remains Low 

November 7, 2024

Afterschool Snack Programs include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Through NSLP schools can serve one snack afterschool, however through the CACFP schools and sponsoring organizations are able to serve a snack in addition to a supper. This additional supper is an important opportunity to meet children’s nutritional needs after the school day is over. A report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) found that afterschool supper participation increased from October 2022 to October 2023 by 6%.

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Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024

August 22, 2024

FRAC’s latest report, Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2024, reveals a drop in the number of children receiving nutrition over the summer following the loss of pandemic-era waivers.

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ECE Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices Decreased During Pandemic

July 16, 2024

A report published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice examined changes in nutrition and physical activity-related best practices in ECE settings in Illinois from 2019 as compared to 2022.

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CACFP Family Day Care Home Participation Study

July 5, 2024

The “USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Family Day Care Home Participation Study” focuses on current and former CACFP participants among FDCH providers. These providers serve a critical need within the child care system, frequently offering longer hours of care (often at a lower cost) than other types of providers to children in their own communities and neighborhoods. This study is the first national study to ask former providers why they left. The study spans 2019–2023, which coincides with the COVID-19 public health emergency, so it provides a unique look at FDCHs during that time.

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CACFP Participation Among U.S. Childcare Providers

June 26, 2024

The “USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation Among U.S. Childcare Providers” examines the characteristics of childcare centers and day care home providers by whether they participated in CACFP or not.

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The Power of the Food Program: Adult Care 

May 21, 2025

Vegas Adult Day Care is an outstanding CACFP operator that is committed to the overall health and wellbeing of the 40 older adults they serve each day. The founder of Vegas Adult Day Care, Myong Kim, began her experience with adult care as the caregiver for her own parents. After moving to Las Vegas, she was drawn to serve the senior population where she saw a need for adult care services. Check out their story!

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The Power of the Food Program: Head Start

May 15, 2025

Acelero Learning Monmouth Middlesex (Acelero) operates eight Head Start centers that serve meals to over 800 children through the CACFP. Food Service Coordinator, Stephanie Manchester, and her team work to ensure that they are providing nutritious meals for all of the children across their eight sites.

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Sponsor Spotlight: Michelle Buchanan of CASEWV

April 2, 2025

Michelle Buchanan serves as the Food Program Director at the Community Action of Southeastern West Virginia, a sponsoring organization of 65 family child care homes. Learn about her journey in the CACFP!

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Sponsor Spotlight: Denise Andrews of For the Children, Inc.

March 3, 2025

Denise Andrews is CEO and Director of For the Children, Inc. which is a sponsoring organization of family child care homes in Oklahoma. Learn about her journey in the CACFP!

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The Power of the Food Program: Food Banks

November 20, 2024

Most people think food banks only provide food boxes for those in need. However, food banks do so much more and may also sponsor one or more federal nutrition programs, such as the CACFP. While most CACFP sponsoring organizations are only responsible for the administration and oversight of the program at their sponsored sites, food banks often provide the meals for their sponsored sites as well. The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is a great example.

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The Power of the Food Program in Tribal Nations

November 4, 2024

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs (CTWS) is a sponsor of the CACFP for their early childhood education center that operates a day care program for infants to children aged 3, as well as a Head start program for 3 to 5 year old children. Read about how they operate the CACFP!

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