2023 Nutrition

Unsure of how to plan menus for children with special dietary needs? Explore the key considerations to remember when planning and sourcing CACFP creditable substitutions for special diets such as food allergies, gluten-free, and preparing texture-modified diets.

Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. What is the difference between the three? Learn how to navigate proper documentation, communication, and compliance to foster a safe environment for children with special dietary needs and requests.

Do you struggle with choosy and selective eaters? Learn to navigate feeding concerns and discover your role in supporting the children in your care. Hear about therapy approaches which help them feel confident as they fuel their body rather than scared and anxious.

Learn methods to engage and educate children about nutrition, food, and health through afterschool lessons, garden-based classes, and partnerships with clinics. Explore innovative approaches that target literacy and STEM learning. Hear about cutting edge research surrounding food sovereignty.

Discover what’s really important when it comes to nutrition education in the classroom: it’s not about bribing or forcing a child to try new foods, but about helping children develop a healthy relationship with food. Learn how providers can help cultivate a positive attitude and willingness of children to try new foods.

Meal programs are becoming more diverse each year. Learn strategies to recognize and strengthen diversity in your organization and your local community while leading your summer meal program.

Food is storytelling — where we’ve been, and where we are going. It tells us about the fabric woven between cultures and communities, between the land and embodied knowledge. If food represents a story, do the nutrition services offered in your community communicate their respective stories authentically?

Bring your questions – you can ask us anything about pediatric diets and special needs diets such as type 1 diabetes or gluten intolerance. An unscripted, dynamic, and real conversation focusing on how the food we serve can help children thrive.

Thirsting for more ways to incorporate water in your program? Refresh your knowledge of the CACFP requirements and best practices which support healthy hydration. Learn about opportunities and policy updates which help you advocate for clean and accessible water.

How can storytelling foster healthy eating for children? Early care settings are one of the best places to help children build a healthy living foundation. Explore a series of storytelling techniques designed to encourage children to eat healthier to prevent childhood obesity. Learn how to use a wide variety of literature along with felts, puppets, props and other techniques to inspire children to eat healthy.