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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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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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Meal Pattern Minute: Açai

May 16, 2025

Are açai creditable in the CACFP?

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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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Shake Things Up! Adding Smoothies to Your CACFP Menu ($)

May 14, 2025

Smoothies are a delicious and easy way to add variety to your CACFP menu, but how can you serve them as part of a creditable meal or snack? We’ll break down how to incorporate smoothies into the meal pattern, maximize nutrition, and explore creative blends that appeal to those in your care.

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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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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.

Read More

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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May Virtual Events

May 1, 2025

Get a rundown on all things happening in May at NCA. Annual Training is happening this month. Don’t miss out!

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Virtual CACFP Summit coming this August!

April 30, 2025

We’re bringing you workshops on nutrition, program administration, operations, financial and nonprofit management, and more.

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Coming Up: Adult Care Boot Camp

April 21, 2025

Let’s shine a spotlight on the “A” in CACFP by recognizing the vital role adult care plays in supporting health and nutrition.

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Final Day Recap: Wrapping Up the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 18, 2025

Friday marked the last day of the National Child Nutrition Conference, closing out an incredible week of learning, networking, and professional development.

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Final Rule: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection

May 12, 2025

On May 12, 2025, USDA released a final rule titled Child and Adult Care Food Program: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements. The final rule removes section 226.25(g) from the Code of Federal Regulation. This regulation required State agencies to collect and report data related to participating institutions during fiscal years 2006-2009.

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Provider Appreciation Day

May 8, 2025

Tomorrow, May 9th, is Provider Appreciation Day! We’ve all heard the phrase “not all superheroes wear capes,” and not to be cheesy, but in this case it is true. Instead of a cape, you may wear an apron, a monitor’s hat, a power of the food program sticker, or an advocate badge. e want you to be supported for the tireless work you do to ensure your community is food and nutrition secure.

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Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

May 6, 2025

USDA released a memorandum to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any Child Nutrition Program (CNP) of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in Program meals.

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Quarterly Policy Update: April 2025

April 23, 2025

The start of 2025 has come with many changes as a new administration has taken office and a new Congress has began. So far in 2025, two important CACFP bills have been re-introduced, CACFP Week was recognized nationwide, and a USDA request for information was completed.

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Two Critical CACFP Bills Re-Introduced in Congress

April 10, 2025

Today, April 10th, two important CACFP bills were re-introduced in Congress. The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement work together to provide much-needed improvements for the CACFP and address challenges faced by CACFP operators.

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Welcome James (JC) Miller: New Administrator for Food and Nutrition Services at USDA 

April 3, 2025

We are pleased to share the exciting news that James (JC) Miller has joined the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the new Administrator for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), effective March 24th. With a wealth of experience in leadership across healthcare, nonprofit, and government sectors, James is poised to bring a strong focus on improving the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of USDA’s nutrition programs.

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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: Açai

May 16, 2025

Are açai creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Fruit Leather

May 9, 2025

Are 100% fruit strip leather snacks creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grains

May 5, 2025

What are whole grains?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Enriched Grains

May 2, 2025

What are enriched grains?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Milk at Supper for Adults

April 18, 2025

Is milk required at supper for adults?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grain-Rich for Infants

April 11, 2025

Do CACFP operators need to provide one whole grain-rich grain per day when serving infants?

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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

FRAC Research Funding Opportunity

August 17, 2023

FRAC has announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) for subgrants for its Equitable Access in Child Nutrition Programs project, supported by funding through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS). Submit your CACFP proposal by October 3, 2023, at 11:59pm ET.

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Child Care Supports Academic Achievement and Physical Health

August 10, 2023

A study published in March of 2023, examines the impact of child care on the dietary quality of young children, as well as portrays the need for a more inclusive definition of ‘child care.’ Access to high-quality care supports the academic and social development of your children and is important for all families to reduce socioeconomic disparities.

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Share Your CACFP Experience in this Nationwide Survey

June 22, 2023

Participate by July 14 in a nationwide survey of CACFP Sponsors and Providers being conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Child Nutrition Program Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 2, 2023

In May 2023, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a report focused on Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operations during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, March through September 2020, including information on the nationwide waivers that FNS approved for use during that period.

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Barriers and Facilitators of Center-Based ECE Program Participation in the CACFP

May 25, 2023

In April 2023, the Indiana University CACFP Project Team published a study on the barriers, facilitators, and potential strategies to address center-based participation in the CACFP. One of the key barriers to participation shared by study participants included the cumbersome CACFP paperwork. Facilitators to participation included supports provided by stakeholders and sponsors.

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Fruit, Vegetable, and Sugar Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Children

March 28, 2023

In February 2023, the CDC released state-level data on fruit, vegetable, and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) intake among young children. The data was collected through a 2021 national survey in which respondents were asked three questions about children aged 1–5 years regarding the frequency of consuming fruits, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages during the preceding week. The report found that many young children between ages 1 and 5 years old are not eating fruits and vegetables each day and are regularly drinking SSBs.

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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!

Read More

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.

Read More

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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