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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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2023 National Child Nutrition Conference Receives 21 Hours of Approved Credits from Commission on Dietetic Registration

March 27, 2023

Attendees of the 2023 National Child Nutrition Conference can receive up to 21 hours of CEUs, accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

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Helping Schools Feed Kids Act of 2023

March 27, 2023

Earlier this month, a bill was introduced to the House of Representatives to extend the additional 10 cent reimbursement in the CACFP through school year 2023-2024. If this bill is passed, the additional 10 cent reimbursement would be implemented through June 30, 2024.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Beef Jerky Sticks

March 24, 2023

Beef jerky sticks can be a quick and tasty snack, but are they creditable in the CACFP?

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Comment Requested – Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 DGAs

March 23, 2023

Based on feedback from our members, NCA has developed model comments to help you provide feedback to USDA about the Proposed Rule regarding changes to meal patterns to be consistent with the 2020 DGAs.

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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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Scholarship Recipients Announced for 2022 NCNC

February 11, 2022

Fifteen scholarships have been awarded from the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for the 2022 National Child Nutrition Conference. Through the scholarship program, NCA is honored to recognize the professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s most vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food.

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Network with #NCNC22 Exhibitors

February 10, 2022

Looking to network with NCA’s Conference partners? Plan to visit the Exhibit Hall during networking hours to interact with exhibitors such as General Mills, Mushroom Council, and KidKare by Minute Menu.

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Join us for CACFP Week At-a-Glance!

February 7, 2022

Discover how you can celebrate and raise awareness during this week-long campaign. We’ll walk you through all the free resources we have at cacfpweek.org, as well as the exclusive nutrition education materials our NCA members can download.

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#NCNC22 Featured Speakers Announced

February 4, 2022

Plan to attend our featured speaker sessions for new and exciting information that will leave you feeling inspired, knowledgeable and ready to take on the world!

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certifications

CMP/CCNP Celebration at #NCNC22!

January 17, 2022

January 17, 2022 Get recognized at the National Child Nutrition Conference in New Orleans this April! The National CACFP Sponsors Association Board of Directors is excited to share with you the opportunity to join the community of Certified CACFP Professionals. Receiving your CACFP Certification shows your commitment to your profession and your willingness to uphold…

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Nominations Open for the CACFP Inspire Awards

January 12, 2022

The CACFP Inspire awards will celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations who have reimagined and executed the CACFP during the pandemic.

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Helping Schools Feed Kids Act of 2023

March 27, 2023

Earlier this month, a bill was introduced to the House of Representatives to extend the additional 10 cent reimbursement in the CACFP through school year 2023-2024. If this bill is passed, the additional 10 cent reimbursement would be implemented through June 30, 2024.

Read More

Comment Requested – Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 DGAs

March 23, 2023

Based on feedback from our members, NCA has developed model comments to help you provide feedback to USDA about the Proposed Rule regarding changes to meal patterns to be consistent with the 2020 DGAs.

Read More

National CACFP Week Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives

March 14, 2023

Today, March 14, 2023, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with cosponsors, introduced a resolution to designate the third week of March 2023 as National CACFP Week.

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Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the Summer Food Service Program

March 7, 2023

In September 2022, FNS published the Final Rule: Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the SFSP. Compliance with the provisions of the rule must begin by May 1, 2023. The USDA released a memo to provide guidance for state agencies and program operators on SFSP performance standards, budgets, and management plans which were aligned with other child nutrition programs through the final rule.

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Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

March 3, 2023

Summer EBT will provide EBT benefits on an ongoing basis to low-income children during the summer months to ensure continued access to meals and snacks when school is not in session. For 2024, benefits are an amount equal to $40 per month per eligible child during the summer operational period.

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Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

February 28, 2023

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the SFSP.

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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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CACFP Resource: Serving Snacks

October 28, 2022

Snacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.

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Member Resources: Meal Component Activity Pages

September 9, 2022

NCA Members can download these meal component activity pages. Each activity page includes crafts, games, recipes and more! Theres a page for each meal component in the CACFP.

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Resources for a Healthy, Creditable Breakfast

August 30, 2022

Managing sugar at breakfast time for children is a tall order. If you find that you need a helping hand putting together a low-sugar, creditable breakfast, check out these resources.

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Fruits and vegetables spread over a counter top around a blank menu template. The text Five Free CACFP Menu Templates is written over the top.

Five Free CACFP Menu Templates for Easy Meal Planning

August 25, 2022

These five CACFP weekly menu templates were designed by us, the National CACFP Sponsors Association, so you can trust that they’re not only tried and true, but also up to speed on the current demands of the CACFP. Use these free fillable menus, and your weekly meal planning will become a breeze. Each one is organized by age, meal, and meal component.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Beef Jerky Sticks

March 24, 2023

Beef jerky sticks can be a quick and tasty snack, but are they creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Medical Statements with Soy Milk

March 17, 2023

When do you need a medical statement in order to serve soy milk to your #CACFP participants?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Crediting Pickles

March 9, 2023

Cucumbers credit as a vegetable in the CACFP, so what about pickles?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Potato Chips

March 3, 2023

We know that potatoes credit as a vegetable in the CACFP, but what about potato chips?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Flavored Milk

February 24, 2023

Flavored milk – children and adults alike love it, but is it #CACFPCreditable?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Serving Juice More Than Once Per Day

February 17, 2023

100% full-strength juice is reimbursable for the fruit component in the CACFP. But how many times per day are you allowed to serve it?

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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.

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

CACFP Resource: Serving Snacks

October 28, 2022

Snacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.

Read More

Member Resources: Meal Component Activity Pages

September 9, 2022

NCA Members can download these meal component activity pages. Each activity page includes crafts, games, recipes and more! Theres a page for each meal component in the CACFP.

Read More

Resources for a Healthy, Creditable Breakfast

August 30, 2022

Managing sugar at breakfast time for children is a tall order. If you find that you need a helping hand putting together a low-sugar, creditable breakfast, check out these resources.

Read More
Fruits and vegetables spread over a counter top around a blank menu template. The text Five Free CACFP Menu Templates is written over the top.

Five Free CACFP Menu Templates for Easy Meal Planning

August 25, 2022

These five CACFP weekly menu templates were designed by us, the National CACFP Sponsors Association, so you can trust that they’re not only tried and true, but also up to speed on the current demands of the CACFP. Use these free fillable menus, and your weekly meal planning will become a breeze. Each one is organized by age, meal, and meal component.

Read More

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.

Read More
Female child care provider leaning over a table helping children with craft.

Experiences of Early Child Care and Education Operators During the Pandemic

February 1, 2023

In December 2022, the Indiana University CACFP Project Team released a report describing the child nutrition and care provision experiences among early care and education (ECE) stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in four states and a variety of ECE stakeholders participated. The study identifies six common experiences among ECE stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Female Family Child Care Home provider sits in a circle with young children playing with toy building blocks

Facilitators and Barriers to FCCH Enrollment in CACFP

January 30, 2023

In December 2022, the Indiana University CACFP Project Team released a report describing the facilitators and barriers to CACFP participation by family child care homes (FCCHs). The report concludes with suggestions for potential strategies to promote participation in the CACFP by FCCHs. The study was conducted in two states, Arizona and New York, that have varying levels of CACFP participation. The study outlines the facilitators and barriers to FCCHs’ enrollment in CACFP and recommends a few strategies to increase participation.

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Image grid of 4 photos. One with a young woman handing orange slices to a little girl. One of a mother feeding her toddler a banana, One of a smiling child holding a platter of fruits, and one of a table set for a child's meal.

Study of Nutrition and Activity in CACFP

December 5, 2022

In October 2021 the USDA released a report on the Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings (SNACS), which is the first nationally representative, comprehensive assessment of the CACFP.

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Front page of study, named Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings with image of a young boy eating a snack and smiling

Barriers to CACFP Participation

December 2, 2022

December 2, 2022 Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings report Hunger Free Vermont conducted a statewide survey of early childhood programs in late 2021, seeking to understand what barriers early childhood providers face when it comes to providing food to program participants. The Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings report identified the most common barriers…

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Problems and Solutions in Food Advertising to Children

September 29, 2022

The 2022 FACTS Report suggests problems in food advertising to children, and the newly issued National Strategy on Hunger may offer a solution.

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CACFP participant child hands making heart symbol

CACFP Inspire: Kidz Korner in Payson, Arizona

November 21, 2022

Eleven years ago, Lidia Madrid opened Kidz Korner in Payson, Arizona to see her children and other local children grow up and learn safely in a town where there were limited child care options.

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Headshot of Shedron Davis over a beige background

CACFP Inspire: Shedron Davis of Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program, Inc in Memphis

October 25, 2022

Shedron Davis is the Founder and Executive Director of Alpha & Omega, and her mission is to empower children to succeed through a healthy lifestyle.

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CACFP Inspire: Jessica Coleman of Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens in Virginia

October 20, 2022

Jessica Coleman is the children’s day care supervisor and CACFP manager at Generations, an intergenerational daycare in Virginia.

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CACFP Inspire: Andrea Rivera of Christian Military Academy, Puerto Rico

October 13, 2022

With experience and credentials like hers, it’s no surprise that the Food and Nutrition Services office selected Andrea Rivera to create a new community food service program at the start of the pandemic.

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An adult man, Kyle Jackson, wearing a blue t-shirt stands in front of evergreen trees.

CACFP Inspire: Kyle Jackson of Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County

October 5, 2022

Kyle Jackson is an area director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County, and a true leader in executing at-risk after school meal operation

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CACFP Inspire: PATCH

September 28, 2022

People Attentive to Children Hawaii, PATCH, has a straightforward mission: to support and improve the quality and availability of care for the young people of Hawaii. In fact, this mission is stated so plainly that it could be misunderstood as easy when it is simply direct.

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