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May Virtual Events

May 1, 2025

Get a rundown on all things happening in May at NCA. Annual Training is happening this month. Don’t miss out!

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Virtual CACFP Summit coming this August!

April 30, 2025

We’re bringing you workshops on nutrition, program administration, operations, financial and nonprofit management, and more.

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Quarterly Policy Update: April 2025

April 23, 2025

The start of 2025 has come with many changes as a new administration has taken office and a new Congress has began. So far in 2025, two important CACFP bills have been re-introduced, CACFP Week was recognized nationwide, and a USDA request for information was completed.

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Coming Up: Adult Care Boot Camp

April 21, 2025

Let’s shine a spotlight on the “A” in CACFP by recognizing the vital role adult care plays in supporting health and nutrition.

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Final Day Recap: Wrapping Up the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 18, 2025

Friday marked the last day of the National Child Nutrition Conference, closing out an incredible week of learning, networking, and professional development.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Milk at Supper for Adults

April 18, 2025

Is milk required at supper for adults?

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May Virtual Events

May 1, 2025

Get a rundown on all things happening in May at NCA. Annual Training is happening this month. Don’t miss out!

Read More

Virtual CACFP Summit coming this August!

April 30, 2025

We’re bringing you workshops on nutrition, program administration, operations, financial and nonprofit management, and more.

Read More

Coming Up: Adult Care Boot Camp

April 21, 2025

Let’s shine a spotlight on the “A” in CACFP by recognizing the vital role adult care plays in supporting health and nutrition.

Read More

Final Day Recap: Wrapping Up the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 18, 2025

Friday marked the last day of the National Child Nutrition Conference, closing out an incredible week of learning, networking, and professional development.

Read More

Thursday Highlights: Innovation & Inspiration at the National Child Nutrition Conference

April 17, 2025

Thursday continued the momentum with engaging discussions, thought-provoking workshops, and insightful featured speakers. Here’s a recap of the day’s key moments, with space for attendee reflections!

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Midweek Momentum: Wednesday Recap at the National Child Nutrition Conference 

April 17, 2025

Wednesday was packed with workshops, networking, and key policy updates, keeping the energy high as attendees gained valuable insights. Here are the highlights, with space for attendee reflections!

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Quarterly Policy Update: April 2025

April 23, 2025

The start of 2025 has come with many changes as a new administration has taken office and a new Congress has began. So far in 2025, two important CACFP bills have been re-introduced, CACFP Week was recognized nationwide, and a USDA request for information was completed.

Read More

Two Critical CACFP Bills Re-Introduced in Congress

April 10, 2025

Today, April 10th, two important CACFP bills were re-introduced in Congress. The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement work together to provide much-needed improvements for the CACFP and address challenges faced by CACFP operators.

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Welcome James (JC) Miller: New Administrator for Food and Nutrition Services at USDA 

April 3, 2025

We are pleased to share the exciting news that James (JC) Miller has joined the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the new Administrator for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), effective March 24th. With a wealth of experience in leadership across healthcare, nonprofit, and government sectors, James is poised to bring a strong focus on improving the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of USDA’s nutrition programs.

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CACFP Operators Celebrated Nationwide

March 24, 2025

This year, National CACFP Week was formally recognized at federal, state, and local levels. Read more to learn how your peers raised awareness of the CACFP!

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NCA Response – Request for Information on Grain-Based Dessert and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting

March 18, 2025

In December 2024, USDA released a request for information about grain-based dessert and high-protein yogurt crediting. After meeting with members and extensive research NCA has submitted our response to USDA stating our position on potential changes.

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Monitoring the Impacts of Federal Funding Freeze

January 28, 2025

On January 27, President Trump’s office issued a memorandum based on his executive orders which calls for temporarily pausing federal funding. This has caused concern to many programs and people, including those in our community.

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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: Milk at Supper for Adults

April 18, 2025

Is milk required at supper for adults?

Read More

Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grain-Rich for Infants

April 11, 2025

Do CACFP operators need to provide one whole grain-rich grain per day when serving infants?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Edamame

April 4, 2025

Are edamame creditable in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Tomato Sauce

March 28, 2025

Does tomato sauce credit by volume served in the CACFP?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Tomato Paste and Tomato Puree

March 22, 2025

Does tomato paste and tomato puree credit based on the volume served?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Milk Transition Period

March 14, 2025

Is there a milk transition period for infants and preschool age children?

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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 Emergency Shelter Characteristics Study

December 23, 2024

The “Characteristics of Emergency Shelters Participating in the CACFP” study by USDA seeks to better understand the characteristics of CACFP emergency shelters, who they serve, how CACFP fits into their operations, and their challenges with CACFP. The study was conducted in 2023 and collected data from 242 emergency shelters that participate in CACFP in Fiscal Year 2023.

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FCCH Provider Perception of Increased Pandemic Reimbursement

December 5, 2024

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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Adult Day Care Centers in the CACFP Study

December 4, 2024

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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2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service

November 21, 2024

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 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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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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Four individual CACFP creditable meals from Sunshine Academy

CACFP Inspire: Derek Sego of Sunshine Academy

September 19, 2022

Sunshine Academy is a preschool and daycare with three locations in Utah and the CACFP at its heart. Overseeing it all is Derek Sego.

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CACFP Inspire: Community Action Council of Lexington, KY

August 26, 2022

Community Action Council of Lexington, Kentucky is a Head Start program and CACFP sponsor for 20 child development sites throughout Kentucky. Laura Sheffield is the Health and Nutrition Director, and she and her staff operate the CACFP with outstanding care and creativity.

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Genia Boutwell outside of Poarch Band of Creek Indians Boys and Girls Club

CACFP Inspire: Genia Boutwell of Poarch Band of Creek Indians

August 22, 2022

Genia Boutwell manages the CACFP meals served through the Poarch Creek Indians Boys & Girls Club, and she’s a champion for child nutrition.

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Wendi Huntley from Connecting Kids to Meals looks inside a cooler stocked with CACFP meals

CACFP Inspire: Wendi Huntley at Connecting Kids to Meals

August 19, 2022

Wendi Huntley is the president of Connecting Kids to Meals in Toledo, Ohio where one out of every four kids faces hunger.

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Edelina Lane works on her CACFP garden with CACFP child participants

CACFP Inspire: Lina Lane’s Learning Center

August 3, 2022

Edelina Lane has executed the CACFP with distinction and success since starting her childcare business in 2010.

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North Iowa Community Action staff member carries box of CACFP foods

CACFP Inspire: North Iowa Community Action Organization

August 1, 2022

North Iowa Community Action, the CACFP sponsor for nine counties across Iowa, pulled together during the pandemic to maintain food service.

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