In 2026, the National CACFP Association (NCA) celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of supporting the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the professionals who make nutritious meals possible for children and adults nationwide.
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The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was signed by the President and passed into law on January 14, 2026. This bill updates the milk requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to allow the service of whole and reduced-fat milk, which was previously unallowable. This update only applies to school lunch.
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National CACFP Week will be here before you know it! This year March 15-21 marks this national education campaign designed to raise awareness of the CACFP and its contribution to combating hunger. Ask Your Governor to Proclaim March 15-21, 2026, as National CACFP Week!
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Can you purchase local, CACFP creditable foods from a farmers market?
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On January 7, 2026, USDA and HHS released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2025-2030 DGAs recommend prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while avoiding highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
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The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released their Afterschool Supper report that snapshots participation in October 2024. They found that afterschool supper participation has increased and that CACFP represents 50% of the daily participation.
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The National CACFP Association (NCA) is proud to continue its annual scholarship program for the 2026 National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC), taking place April 13–17, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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We are closely monitoring the potential government shutdown on October 1 and its impact on the CACFP. As your trusted partner, we’ll keep you informed with timely updates.
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Over 2,000 key stakeholders and professionals from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program community will convene for a week of nutrition education and professional development at the 40th annual National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 13–17, 2026.
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Registration for NCNC26 is now open! Get ready for our 40th Anniversary – five days of training, networking and fun.
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Beginning October 1, 2025, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) will implement new regulations requiring limits on added sugars in breakfast cereals and yogurts served in child and adult care settings.
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This October marks the inaugural Farm to CACFP Week, hosted by the National CACFP Association to celebrate the benefits of connecting child and adult care programs with local foods.
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The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was signed by the President and passed into law on January 14, 2026. This bill updates the milk requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to allow the service of whole and reduced-fat milk, which was previously unallowable. This update only applies to school lunch.
Read More
National CACFP Week will be here before you know it! This year March 15-21 marks this national education campaign designed to raise awareness of the CACFP and its contribution to combating hunger. Ask Your Governor to Proclaim March 15-21, 2026, as National CACFP Week!
Read More
On January 7, 2026, USDA and HHS released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2025-2030 DGAs recommend prioritizing high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while avoiding highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
Read More
The government shutdown has continued into November as Congress has yet to reach an agreement on Fiscal Year 2026 funding. We’ve put together a list of resources and ideas for providers to help families that experience disruption to food programs during the shutdown.
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We are closely monitoring the potential government shutdown on October 1 and its impact on the CACFP. As your trusted partner, we’ll keep you informed with timely updates.
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CACFP advocacy is central to the mission of National CACFP Association (NCA) and NCA is continuously working to support and advocate for you! This year, we’ve worked to help raise awareness, expand and improve the CACFP. Your NCA membership supports these efforts. THANK YOU!
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Exciting news! Head Start programs have an opportunity to access one-time supplemental funds to support nutrition services and healthy eating for enrolled children and families. You can use this funding for staff training on resources and educational opportunities to help your program improve outcomes for children and families and align with USDA requirements – like the CACFP!
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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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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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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 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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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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Can you purchase local, CACFP creditable foods from a farmers market?
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Can all ingredients in a smoothie be credited in the CACFP?
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Can a parent or guardian supply a meal component for their infant in the infant meal pattern?
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Could the crust of a chicken pot pie credit as the grains component?
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Are juice cocktails creditable in the CACFP?
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Is raw cow’s milk creditable in the CACFP?
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Exciting news! Head Start programs have an opportunity to access one-time supplemental funds to support nutrition services and healthy eating for enrolled children and families. You can use this funding for staff training on resources and educational opportunities to help your program improve outcomes for children and families and align with USDA requirements – like the CACFP!
Read More
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
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
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 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
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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A survey was administered in the spring of 2023 of licensed California family child care homes (FCCH) to assess the perceived impacts of the increased reimbursement during the Covid-19 pandemic on CACFP participation and anticipated challenges with reinstated tiered rates.
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The USDA recently released a study on the “Characteristics of Adult Day Care Centers that Participate in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program” which seeks to better understand key characteristics of adult day care centers participating in CACFP.
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USDA released a survey report focused on SFSP and SSO sponsors who operated the non-congregate meal service option in qualifying rural areas in summer 2023.
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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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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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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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Lutheran Services Florida sponsors 24 affiliated Head Start and Early Head Start sites, 396 family day care homes and four emergency shelters. Collectively, these programs serve nutritious meals and snacks to over 6,000 children in their care. Read more about the work of this NCA member.
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NWAFCCA sponsors 47 family child care homes that serve nutritious meals and snacks to over 600 children in Northwest Arkansas. Learn more about the great work of this NCA member!
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Provider’s Network, Inc. sponsors 230 homes across Nebraska, ensuring over 1,900 children receive nutritious meals and snacks each day. Learn more about the work this NCA member is doing!
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The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina is a sponsor and operator of CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and the Summer Food Service Program. Hear how they are creating sustainable food access through their programs.
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The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) operates CACFP ARAS and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through its “Be Mighty” program. The Be Mighty program runs in 11 branches throughout the Little Rock, Arkansas area and serves over 63,000 meals and snacks each year.
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Maria Rincon is the Nutrition Manager for the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation (EOAC). Hear how she and her team ensure nutritious meals to over 500 infants and children through their Head Start centers.
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