2026 NCNC
Garden-Based Nutrition for Early Childhood: I Am a Seed
Bring the garden to the classroom and watch nutrition come alive! Implementing a garden-based nutrition curriculum in early childhood education is an excellent complement to the CACFP. Identify key qualities of effective garden-based nutrition curricula, review the evidence and benefits, tackle common challenges and discuss how CACFP sponsor organizations can introduce these programs at their sites.
Read MoreAll4Kids: Growing Healthy Bodies and Minds in Preschoolers
The All4Kids program engages preschool-aged children in fun, hands-on activities that promote healthy eating, physical activity and positive body image. Through interactive lessons, music and dance, they develop nutrition knowledge, move their bodies and learn to appreciate their unique selves. Identify strategies for integrating nutrition, movement and self-esteem education in early childhood settings.
Read MoreMaximizing Your Budget Through Menu Planning
Menu planning is more than just demonstrating CACFP meal pattern compliance, it’s a budgeting tool to control costs and efficiency. Learn practical methods to calculate food costs and share purchasing strategies that save money without sacrificing quality. Gain tips for making cost-effective swaps and reviewing menus for maximum value.Â
Read MoreTaste & Tell: Improving Head Start Menus with Family Engagement
The Head Start Performance Standards require gathering parent input on menus and nutrition programs. Explore creative ways to involve families in taste testing and to providing feedback on future menus. Brainstorm strategies to incorporate family input into menu planning, discuss approaches to overcome common challenges and review practical methods for making menus more engaging, nutritious and family-friendly.
Read MoreFrom Scratch to Success: Creating Cycle Menus and CACFP-Ready Recipes
Ready to make menu planning easier and more exciting? Discover how to streamline cycle menus and craft CACFP-compliant recipes that deliver great taste, nutrition and efficiency. Learn key strategies for building balanced menus, adjusting recipes to meet requirements, and using production tools to boost compliance and strengthen your nutrition program.
Read MoreFamily Style Dining in Head Start: Building Healthy Habits
Family style dining in Head Start promotes healthy habits as children serve themselves, make food choices and practice portion control. It fosters independence, social skills and language development while creating nurturing mealtime experiences. Discover how to implement family style dining positively and effectively in your classrooms.
Read MoreEngaging System-Involved Parents in Nutrition Education
How can nutrition education meaningfully engage parents navigating complex systems, like foster or resource parents, system-involved fathers, or mothers in transitional housing? Explore shared strategies for trust-building, trauma-informed facilitation and developmentally responsive feeding that reconnect families through food.
Read MoreBeyond the Plate: Using the Social-Ecological Model in CNPs
Creating lasting change in child nutrition programs (CNPs) means addressing influences at every level, from individual behaviors to policies that shape communities. The Social-Ecological Model (SEM) supports programs by targeting child, family, organizational, community and policy factors. Learn practical strategies and tools to create healthy environments where children can thrive.
Read MoreTo Vend or Not to Vend: Building Your Food Program
Get started with the CACFP by diving into the essentials, from launching a program in your local education agency (LEA) to exploring self-vending as a cost-effective, sustainable model. Navigate compliance, cost control and menu planning, and get inspired by real-world examples to to build a successful, nutritious meal service for your community.
Read MoreNourishing Young Minds Starts with Us
Supporting healthy eating habits early sets the foundation for lifelong wellness. Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to support healthy eating habits in young children. Identify vital connection between nutrition and early development, learn practical strategies for the classroom and discover how your own habits can positively influence the children you serve.
Read More