2026 Preconference

Wishing to enhance your nutritional awareness, promote cultural integration and foster community engagement by integrating Indigenous foods into the child nutrition experience? Learn how to develop strategic approaches to create six-week menus that include Indigenous foods, establish local partnerships, provide family service opportunities for learning about healthy foods and plan activities with Indigenous populations in mind.

Designed for Head Start leaders, food service managers and early childhood specialists working within CACFP, this academy offers practical guidance, case studies and compliance strategies. Go beyond theory with real-world tools to strengthen food service operations, support diverse nutritional needs and maintain program integrity across Head Start settings.

Are you just starting out with the CACFP? Start your week off with a deep dive into the core fundamentals of the food program. Learn about the meal patterns and the five meal components served in the CACFP, as well as tips and strategies for implementation in your operations. 

Join us for a 101-level overview of the generally accepted source documentation to support allowable costs for CACFP operations. Training will include group activities, discussion on proposed program costs that are often questioned and tools to assist with avoiding common budget submission mistakes.

Are you looking to find a way to share your institutional knowledge and create a pathway for the success of the organization once you retire or move on? If you’ve been managing operations for a considerable amount of time and want to learn how to exit or grow into a new role while protecting the food program and those you serve, learn about strategies you can use while contributing to the conversation.

As a sponsor, director, monitor or field staff for family day care homes, you know efficient monitoring and oversight are essential to CACFP success. Learn how to conduct reviews that meet program requirements while also supporting and uplifting providers. Strengthen your oversight approach and build confidence in maintaining compliance.

Let’s talk about grains! Learn what are creditable and non-creditable grains in the CACFP, how to identify whole grain-rich  and how to calculate grain ounce equivalents in recipes and pre-packaged grain products to meet CACFP grain requirements for the age(s) you are serving.