In April 2022 Federal agencies transitioned from use of the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Child Nutrition Program Operators are required to have the UEI to receive payments from State agencies who administer the Child Nutrition programs on behalf of the Federal government. This memorandum provides answers to questions related to the transition.
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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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The team of Lisa Gifaldi, Shelly Pierce and Andrea Gold-O’Connor were nominated for a Partnership for Public Service Award, as well as a People’s Choice Award for their work in SNAP online purchasing.
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Join us for a webinar to discuss what grain-based desserts are based on USDA guidance and how to menu plan without them in the CACFP.
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is more on the sixth method!
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Join us for a webinar to discuss what grain-based desserts are based on USDA guidance and how to menu plan without them in the CACFP.
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During the entire month of August, every congressional representative will be back in their home state. Don’t miss this opportunity to advocate for CACFP! Showcasing your program is one of the most impactful ways to advocate for the CACFP. Invite your elected officials to visit your site to interact with and serve meal/snack to the children or adults in your care.
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Check out these virtual events happening in May at NCA!
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Elections for NCA’s Board of Directors is coming up. Learn more about this year’s candidates and how you can hear from them at our upcoming town hall.
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We want to provide five days of training to those who are able to stay, which is why we expanded our Friday offerings even further this year.
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We started the day off with our Boardwalk 5K Fun Run/Walk, with over 100 attendees taking in the gorgeous views along the Embarcadero Walkway early in the morning. The last full day of the National Child Nutrition Conference featured more than a whopping 90 workshop sessions for attendees, which continued to receive rave reviews.
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USDA has released guidance on when states have discretion to conduct monitoring off-site and what monitoring procedures are recommended. However, all three monitoring visits must still be conducted on-site.
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Many of the waivers and flexibilities created during the pandemic for CACFP operators are expiring soon or have already expired.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is more on the sixth method!
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is more on the fifth method!
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is more on the fourth method!
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is the fourth method!
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is the third method!
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There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is the second method!
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Read More
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Jessica Coleman is the children’s day care supervisor and CACFP manager at Generations, an intergenerational daycare in Virginia.
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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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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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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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NCA Comments – Proposed Rule Revisions to Meal Patterns
In February 2023, USDA released the proposed rule Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. After meeting with NCA members and CACFP stakeholders, NCA provided a comment to USDA stating our position on the proposed changes, and additional comment on cost and administrative burden efforts, and created model comments for our members to personalize.
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