Check out these virtual events happening in June at NCA!
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreUSDA wants to hear from you! The National CACFP Sponsors Association, in collaboration with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, invites you to participate in a webinar to provide feedback on successful implementation of non-congregate summer meal service in rural communities.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreCheck out these virtual events happening in June at NCA!
Read MoreUSDA wants to hear from you! The National CACFP Sponsors Association, in collaboration with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, invites you to participate in a webinar to provide feedback on successful implementation of non-congregate summer meal service in rural communities.
Read MoreJoin 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.
Read MoreDuring 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.
Read MoreCheck out these virtual events happening in May at NCA!
Read MoreElections 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreDuring 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 in August.
Read MoreUSDA released a memo with a second set of questions and answers on the rural non-congregate summer meals option established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The memorandum addresses the following topics: State Agency approval of non-congregate meal service; sponsors, site, and participant eligibility; meal service; monitoring; reporting; and general/miscellaneous guidance.
Read MoreUSDA has released guidance regarding onsite and offsite strategies and options for oversight and monitoring of the school meal programs.
Read MoreUSDA has released guidance regarding on-site and off-site strategies and options for oversight and monitoring of the Summer Food Service Program.
Read MoreCDC 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 MoreSnacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.
Read MoreNCA 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 MoreManaging 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 MoreThese 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 MoreWhat’s the deal with pancakes? Are they reimbursable in the CACFP? What about for 6 to 11 month olds?
Read MoreYou asked, and we are here to answer: are turkey sausage and turkey bacon creditable in the CACFP?
Read MoreAre herbs and spices reimbursable in the CACFP? You need them to make your healthy meals and snacks flavorful, but are they reimbursable, or even allowable, in the meal pattern?
Read MoreCoconut is so versatile! You can eat it fresh or shredded, and there’s even coconut water and coconut milk. So, is this jack-of-all-trades fruit creditable in the CACFP?
Read MoreIs almond milk reimbursable in the CACFP? Between dairy allergies and dietary preferences, it’s a popular beverage, so we’re not surprised you want to know!
Read MoreYou want to include popcorn for your menu, but is it reimbursable as a vegetable in the CACFP? The answer may surprise you.
Read MoreCDC 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 MoreSnacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.
Read MoreNCA 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 MoreManaging 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 MoreThese 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 MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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 MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreIn 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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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.
Read More