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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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Spring Has Sprung!

March 20, 2023

Feeling the warmer breeze and seeing flowers sprouting everywhere? It must be that Spring has sprung in your area!

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Meal Pattern Minute: Medical Statements with Soy Milk

March 17, 2023

When do you need a medical statement in order to serve soy milk to your #CACFP participants?

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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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Supporting Kids’ Nutrition Security Through CACFP 

March 15, 2023

All kids deserve a healthy start to life, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is one support that helps ensure they have access to the nutritious food they need. Hear from NCA’s President and CEO, Lisa Mack, on the importance of the C

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National CACFP Week Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives

March 14, 2023

Today, March 14, 2023, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with cosponsors, introduced a resolution to designate the third week of March 2023 as National CACFP Week.

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Free Webinar Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP and SFSP Meal Patterns

February 15, 2023

The USDA released a document with proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns in order to be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We’re partnering with USDA and other organizations to host a webinar on how these proposed changes would impact the CACFP and SFSP. After the webinar, we’ll be hosting our own Q&A session for our NCA members and their feedback.

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Scholarship Recipients Announced for #NCNC23

February 14, 2023

Fifteen scholarships have been awarded from the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for the 2023 National Child Nutrition Conference. Through the scholarship program, NCA is honored to recognize the professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s most vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food.

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National CACFP Week is Coming Up – Are You Ready?

January 31, 2023

National CACFP Week is March 12-18,2023. What can you do to celebrate?

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CACFP Required Annual Training FY2023

January 31, 2023

The CACFP plays a vital role in nutrition equity for children and adults in centers and day care homes by providing access to healthful meals. Sponsors and providers are critical for the continued success of this program. The required annual training in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a critical component in…

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Free Webinar: New Year, New Recipes!

January 9, 2023

We are starting 2023 off right with some brand new, CACFP-approved recipes. Join us on Zoom for this fun, free webinar!

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A wooden counter top holds vegetables and an open notebook. There is a woman's hand holding a pencil over the notebook.

Webinar: How to Make Your Recipe CACFP Creditable

November 14, 2022

We want you to be empowered to turn any healthy recipe into a creditable one. Join us on Thursday, December 15, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Eastern for How to Credit Recipes in the CACFP.

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National CACFP Week Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives

March 14, 2023

Today, March 14, 2023, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with cosponsors, introduced a resolution to designate the third week of March 2023 as National CACFP Week.

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Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

March 3, 2023

Summer EBT will provide EBT benefits on an ongoing basis to low-income children during the summer months to ensure continued access to meals and snacks when school is not in session. For 2024, benefits are an amount equal to $40 per month per eligible child during the summer operational period.

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Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

February 28, 2023

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the SFSP.

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NCA CACFP Sponsoring Organization and Provider Member Advocacy Survey Report

February 27, 2023

In December 2022, NCA carried out a member survey to obtain feedback on policy issues and COVID-19 flexibilities from CACFP sponsoring organizations and providers. The results of the survey will be used to inform NCAs advocacy efforts moving forward.

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States, US Territories and Local Authorities Can Take Action by Issuing a Proclamation Declaring the 3rd Week of March (March 12-18, 2023) CACFP Week

February 22, 2023

States, US Territories and local authorities can bring recognition to the importance of the CACFP and its stakeholders by proclaiming the 3rd week of March as CACFP Week.

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Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Reallocation of State Administrative Expense (SAE) Funds in Child Nutrition Programs

February 17, 2023

USDA released guidance to provide the information needed to conduct the FY 2023 reallocation of State Administrative Expense (SAE) funds. Reallocation is a formal process by which State agencies can: (1) request additional SAE funds above their initial authorized funding level; or (2) return SAE funds they do not need. All State agencies must submit an SAE Funds Reallocation Report (FNS-525) to their respective USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional office by March 20, 2023, even if the State agency is neither requesting nor returning funds.

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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.

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 Resource: Serving Snacks

October 28, 2022

Snacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.

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Member Resources: Meal Component Activity Pages

September 9, 2022

NCA 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.

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Resources for a Healthy, Creditable Breakfast

August 30, 2022

Managing 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.

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Fruits and vegetables spread over a counter top around a blank menu template. The text Five Free CACFP Menu Templates is written over the top.

Five Free CACFP Menu Templates for Easy Meal Planning

August 25, 2022

These 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.

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Meal Pattern Minute: Medical Statements with Soy Milk

March 17, 2023

When do you need a medical statement in order to serve soy milk to your #CACFP participants?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Crediting Pickles

March 9, 2023

Cucumbers credit as a vegetable in the CACFP, so what about pickles?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Potato Chips

March 3, 2023

We know that potatoes credit as a vegetable in the CACFP, but what about potato chips?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Flavored Milk

February 24, 2023

Flavored milk – children and adults alike love it, but is it #CACFPCreditable?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Serving Juice More Than Once Per Day

February 17, 2023

100% full-strength juice is reimbursable for the fruit component in the CACFP. But how many times per day are you allowed to serve it?

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Meal Pattern Minute: Vegan Cheese

February 9, 2023

Plant-based diets are growing in prevalence, and there are tons of great vegan options to serve in the CACFP, like tofu, tempeh, nuts and legumes. Does vegan cheese fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

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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.

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 Resource: Serving Snacks

October 28, 2022

Snacks can be a great way to give CACFP participants the nutrients and energy they need between meals. Use this resource to learn more.

Read More

Member Resources: Meal Component Activity Pages

September 9, 2022

NCA 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 More

Resources for a Healthy, Creditable Breakfast

August 30, 2022

Managing 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 More
Fruits and vegetables spread over a counter top around a blank menu template. The text Five Free CACFP Menu Templates is written over the top.

Five Free CACFP Menu Templates for Easy Meal Planning

August 25, 2022

These 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 More
Female child care provider leaning over a table helping children with craft.

Experiences of Early Child Care and Education Operators During the Pandemic

February 1, 2023

In 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.

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Female Family Child Care Home provider sits in a circle with young children playing with toy building blocks

Facilitators and Barriers to FCCH Enrollment in CACFP

January 30, 2023

In 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.

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Image grid of 4 photos. One with a young woman handing orange slices to a little girl. One of a mother feeding her toddler a banana, One of a smiling child holding a platter of fruits, and one of a table set for a child's meal.

Study of Nutrition and Activity in CACFP

December 5, 2022

In 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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Front page of study, named Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings with image of a young boy eating a snack and smiling

Barriers to CACFP Participation

December 2, 2022

December 2, 2022 Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings report Hunger Free Vermont conducted a statewide survey of early childhood programs in late 2021, seeking to understand what barriers early childhood providers face when it comes to providing food to program participants. The Providing Meals in Early Childhood Settings report identified the most common barriers…

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Problems and Solutions in Food Advertising to Children

September 29, 2022

The 2022 FACTS Report suggests problems in food advertising to children, and the newly issued National Strategy on Hunger may offer a solution.

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Survey Review: 2021 National Farm to Early Care and Education Survey

September 22, 2022

This is a broad overview of the newly published findings of the 2021 study conducted by the National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems. Read the complete report for an in-depth look at their findings.

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Children’s Hunger Alliance Named CACFP Inspire Collaboration Award Winner

April 10, 2022

Children’s Hunger Alliance robust use of organizational values opened the door for an array of community collaboration.

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Shawntelle Fisher of SoulFisher Ministries Named Finalist of CACFP Inspire Trailblazer Awards

April 4, 2022

Fisher innovated and pushed through boundaries to support her community elevate her services to an often-overlooked demographic, leading to her inclusion as a finalist for the Inspire Trailblazer award.

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Children holding lettuce leave

Brooke Wolf of QCS Named CACFP Inspire Trailblazer Award Winner

April 3, 2022

Brooke Wolf of Quality Care Services is named a finalist in the Trailblazer category of the Inspire Awards for her joyful innovation.

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Staff person holds sign for Life360 promoting food distribution

Angie Hughes of Life360 Named CACFP Inspire Community Award Finalist

March 31, 2022

Hughes kept Life360 Community Service’s program operational throughout the crisis and improvised creative solutions along the way.

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