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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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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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Meal Pattern Minute: Queso Fresco

November 1, 2024

Is queso fresco creditable in the CACFP?

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Preventing Peanut Allergies 

October 31, 2024

Did you know that peanuts are one of the nine major food allergens listed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The good news is most babies are not at risk of developing a peanut allergy. Those that are at high-risk of developing an allergy can reduce the risk by up to 86 percent by being introduced to peanut containing-foods early.

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NCA Advocacy Agenda FY25

October 29, 2024

The National CACFP Sponsors Association released is 2025 Advocacy Agenda, which will drive our advocacy efforts for the next year. Our agenda centers around five core priorities: fair and equitable funding, reduction of paperwork, expansion of eligibility, State-level action to supplement federal efforts, and support for the child care infrastructure. Read more!

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November Virtual Events

October 28, 2024

Check out these virtual events coming up this month at NCA!

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November Virtual Events

October 28, 2024

Check out these virtual events coming up this month at NCA!

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#NCNC25 Registration Now Open!

October 18, 2024

Registration is now open for the 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference, the premier annual event held by the National CACFP Sponsors Association, bringing together professionals from child care centers, home providers, sponsoring organizations, school districts, afterschool programs, Head Start programs, Food Banks, tribal nations and State Agencies.

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NCA Joins Early Childhood Educators at TXAEYC in Frisco, TX

October 8, 2024

When two entities focus on a common mission, anything is possible. The National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) sees its mission align with the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) without a hint of deviation: To ensure those serving children are provided with the resources needed to help them sprout to unimaginable heights.

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October Virtual Events

October 2, 2024

Check out these virtual events coming up this month at NCA!

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NCA in Minneapolis, MN: Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) 2024 

September 27, 2024

As the cross-section of nutrition education and early childhood education continues to expand in its ever-growing research, efficiencies, policies, practices, operations, and, primarily, its programs, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) continues to solidify its footprint as a leading educator on the subject at the Academy of Nutrition Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference Expo (FNCE) 2024.

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September Virtual Events

August 26, 2024

Check out these virtual events coming up this month at NCA!

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NCA Advocacy Agenda FY25

October 29, 2024

The National CACFP Sponsors Association released is 2025 Advocacy Agenda, which will drive our advocacy efforts for the next year. Our agenda centers around five core priorities: fair and equitable funding, reduction of paperwork, expansion of eligibility, State-level action to supplement federal efforts, and support for the child care infrastructure. Read more!

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Milk Substitutes Minor Updates: Units of Measurement and Medical Statements

October 28, 2024

USDA released a memo regarding minor milk substitute updates resulting from the Meal Pattern final rule in 2024. The memo clarifies that registered dieticians may sign medical statements for fluid milk substitutions. It also updates the units of measurement for Vitamins A and Vitamins D, however this does not change the actual amount of Vitamins A and D that is required.

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Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in CACFP

October 28, 2024

USDA released a memorandum that outlines the use of Offer Versus Serve (OVS) in the adult day care and at-risk afterschool settings, as well as the use of family style meals in the CACFP.

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Audit Threshold Raised 

October 9, 2024

The audit threshold for federal awards was raised from $750,000 to $1 million. This means that sponsoring organizations who receive less than $1 million in CACFP reimbursement annually are not required to have an annual audit.

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USDA Announces $200 Million for CACFP Providers

October 1, 2024

Today, October 1, 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $200 million for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).

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NCA 2024 Advocacy Round-Up

October 1, 2024

CACFP advocacy is central to the mission of National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) and NCA is continuously working to support and advocate for you! This year, we’ve ramped up our advocacy work to help raise awareness and expand and improve the CACFP.

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CACFP participant drinks from a glass of milk

Four Resources on Milk in the CACFP

August 10, 2022

Serving milk at meals is a requirement of the CACFP, but the type of milk and the quantity can vary based on age. Here are four resources to make sense of it all.

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a CACFP participant in yellow holds a whole wheat piece of bread in front of her face

9 CACFP Resources for Whole Grain-Rich

August 4, 2022

Whole grain-rich is a touchstone in the CACFP, and for good reason. Here are nine free resources to help with grains and CACFP foods.

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Resource Review: Summer Food, Summer Moves

July 25, 2022

Our rundown of Summer Food, Summer Moves, a comprehensive guide to promote wellness at summer feeding sites from the USDA.

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A dry erase board surrounded by fresh fruits and vegetables. The whiteboard says CACFP menu cycle.

Seven CACFP Sample Cycle Menus

July 19, 2022

Here’s the deal: Menu planning is hard work. So, why reinvent the wheel? We’ve got seven sample menu cycles for you to take out for a spin.

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A child leans forward over an empty bowl gazing directly forward

Six Resources for Picky Eaters

July 11, 2022

Picky eating is an issue that has consumed many parents and providers. We’ve got you covered. Check out these six resources for detailed ideas, science, strategies and even activities to help make progress with your picky eater!

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Independence Day Resources and Ideas for CACFP Childcare Sites

June 27, 2022

It may seem daunting to incorporate this holiday in your CACFP childcare site, but it’s easier than you think. In fact, with just a little planning, 4th of July at your CACFP site can be a blast. Check out these resources and ideas to get the party started.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Queso Fresco

November 1, 2024

Is queso fresco creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Gluten-Free Whole Grains

October 25, 2024

Are there any grains that are both gluten free and whole grain-rich?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Gluten

October 19, 2024

What is gluten?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Plantains

October 12, 2024

Are plantains credited as a fruit or a vegetable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: CACFP Funds for a Garden

October 4, 2024

Can CACFP funds be used for supplies for an edible garden?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Sourcing Local Foods

September 27, 2024

Where can local foods be sourced to serve 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.

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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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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%.

Read More

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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Healthy Tots Helps Address Food Insecurity in D.C.

April 18, 2024

Across the nation, racial inequities have impacted access to federal nutrition programs for people of color. The report by D.C. Hunger Solutions aims to address how racial inequities contribute to hunger and poverty among residents of color in the District of Columbia and to lack of access to federal nutrition programs.

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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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Sponsor Spotlight: Leah Penna with FP Assistance

October 10, 2024

Leah Penna is the President and Founder of FP Assistance, a sponsor of unaffiliated centers and afterschool sites across the state of Texas. Hear from Leah!

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Power of the Food Program: Schools

September 25, 2024

The CACFP is operated any many different settings, including child care, adult care, and emergency shelters. The CACFP also has an At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) component that allows sites to serve children and teenagers 18 and under up to one snack and a supper. Not only are eligible sites able to serve meals after the school day, but they can also provide a meal and snack on weekends and during school closures.

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Congressman Molinaro Visits New York Child Care 

September 4, 2024

Congressman Marc Molinaro visited Jessica’s Daycare in his home district (NY-19) to witness child care and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) firsthand.

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Stopping Food Insecurity in its Tracks

August 27, 2024

Hear from three outstanding CACFP sponsoring organizations about the work that they do with CACFP providers to ensure the children and adults in their care receive nutritious meals.

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Sponsor Spotlight: Lana Taylor with Indiana Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

August 20, 2024

Lana Taylor is the Executive Director of Indiana Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCIN) that represents all Boys & Girls Club organizations across Indiana. Hear from Lana!

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