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The CACFP’s Impact Across the Nation

October 3, 2023

More than 138,000 child and adult care providers operate the CACFP, serving nutritious meals to over 4.5 million children and adults daily. The CACFP supports small businesses, helps families keep their children fed, provides balanced meals to those in care, and helps build life-long healthy habits.

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National CACFP Sponsors Association Announces New and Re-Elected Board of Director Members

October 2, 2023

NCA has announced elected and appointed members to the Board of Directors, who will begin their terms on October 1, 2023.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Soy Yogurt

September 29, 2023

How does soy yogurt fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

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1 Year Later: NCA’s Commitments During the White House Conference

September 28, 2023

One year ago today, on September 28, 2022, President Biden hosted the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in over a half century. At the conference, the administration called on stakeholders to make commitments towards ending hunger and reducing diet-related diseases. NCA answered this call for action, writing a letter committing to raising awareness of the CACFP.

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CACFP Associated with Food Security for Young Children

September 25, 2023

A study was published in June of 2023 that found that children with child care-provided meals had lower odds of food insecurity, having poor health, or being admitted to the hospital compared to children with parent-provided meals.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Pumpkin Pie

September 22, 2023

Can pumpkin pie fit into the meal pattern? You might be surprised to learn the answer!

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National CACFP Sponsors Association Announces New and Re-Elected Board of Director Members

October 2, 2023

NCA has announced elected and appointed members to the Board of Directors, who will begin their terms on October 1, 2023.

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State Agency Collaboration Meeting

September 12, 2023

Do you work at a State agency in a position supporting the CACFP? Join NCA’s State Agency Collaboration meeting to earn about the newest NCA resources, hear about what’s happening in CACFP policy, get advocacy updates, and provide feedback about how we can support you.

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CACFP Head Start Boot Camp is Here!

September 6, 2023

Looking for food program training? Delve into a comprehensive range of vital topics tailored to the unique needs of Head Start programs.

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Upcoming Virtual Events

August 21, 2023

Check out these virtual events coming up at NCA!

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2023 July Virtual Events

July 6, 2023

Check out these virtual events happening in July at NCA!

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2023 Virtual Summit Dates Announced

June 27, 2023

Looking for food program training? Join us each day for workshops on nutrition, program administration, operations, management, and more.

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2023-2024 CACFP Reimbursement Rates

July 7, 2023

The USDA has released the Reimbursement Rates for 2023-2024. Rates are effective from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

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NCA Joins Other National Organizations in Urging Congress to Extend the KKFA

June 30, 2023

As of June 30, 2023, the Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA) has expired. However, NCA continues to advocate for the extension of these crucial provisions. NCA has signed a letter with other national organizations urging congress to extend the KKFA for another year.

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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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Best Practices for Streamlining Applications for Year-Round Program Operations

June 12, 2023

This memorandum provides best practices for establishing a single application process for experienced program operators providing year-round meal services to at-risk children in low-income areas. This memorandum applies to State administering agencies and local organizations operating both the Summer Food Service and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.

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Initial Guidance for State Implementation of Summer EBT in 2024

June 7, 2023

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized a permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program beginning in 2024. The USDA released a memorandum providing information to assist States and territories in preparing to implement Summer EBT in 2024.

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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Transition

May 26, 2023

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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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.

Read More

Meal Pattern Minute: Soy Yogurt

September 29, 2023

How does soy yogurt fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

Read More

Meal Pattern Minute: Pumpkin Pie

September 22, 2023

Can pumpkin pie fit into the meal pattern? You might be surprised to learn the answer!

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Meal Pattern Minute: Chestnuts

September 15, 2023

How do chestnuts fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Sugar Limits in Yogurt

September 9, 2023

What do you need to know about sugar limits in yogurt?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Deli Meats

September 1, 2023

What documentation is needed to serve deli meats in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Full-Strength Juice and Infants

August 25, 2023

Is full-strength juice creditable in the Infant Meal Pattern?

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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

CACFP Associated with Food Security for Young Children

September 25, 2023

A study was published in June of 2023 that found that children with child care-provided meals had lower odds of food insecurity, having poor health, or being admitted to the hospital compared to children with parent-provided meals.

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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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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