2026 Research & Resources

The CACFP supports healthy child growth by reimbursing providers for nutritious meals and snacks. In 2024, over 57 million meals were served in North Carolina, yet 49% of licensed providers remain unenrolled. Learn how the NC Farm to Early Care and Education Connections Map is being used to explore CACFP awareness, benefits, barriers and next steps to expand participation and improve child nutrition.

With 5.6 million U.S. children affected by food allergies, effective management in schools is essential. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) assembled experts to create the Food Allergy Management in Schools (FAMS) recommendations. Learn what’s new in FAMS and how to apply these best practices in your school nutrition program.

Are your participants living in a food desert, a food swamp or facing a food mirage? Examine how socioeconomic and geographic factors shape the food insecurity impacting children and explore ways to leverage CACFP to make a difference. Define key terms, analyze local data and brainstorm practical solutions to better support the communities you serve.

Empower students as culinary co-creators! Explore a replicable, USDA-aligned process for guiding youth from idea to standardized recipe, boosting participation and meeting diverse tastes. Leave with flavor-testing protocols, ready-to-use templates and leadership moves to build a thriving student culinary council.

Did you know some foods may contain heavy metals, such as lead or arsenic, or microplastics? Young children are especially vulnerable to these hidden hazards due to their developing bodies and age-appropriate behaviors. Learn how food can become contaminated, what it means for children’s health and how to reduce exposure through safer mealtime practices.

Confused by dairy headlines on social media? You’re not alone! With shifting dietary trends and widespread nutrition myths, it’s tough to know what to believe. Get clear on dairy’s role in a healthy eating pattern, including hot topics like raw milk, milk in schools and full-fat options. Hear the latest research on gut health and inflammation, and gain confidence to support kids’ nutrition.

What if the key to lifelong healthy habits begins at the family table? Explore how early food experiences influence child development, followed by lessons from a nationwide pilot on engaging families in nutrition education. Learn five strategies to boost caregiver engagement, from shared activities and resources to consistent communication, safe feedback spaces and building peer support networks.

How can programs truly meet students’ needs? FoodCorps’ approach reflects those needs by building trusting relationships and creating meals that feel like home. Learn how practical strategies like taste tests, advisory groups and real-time feedback boost engagement. Centering student voice strengthens trust, increases participation and supports lasting success in school nutrition programs.

How can State agencies move the needle on CACFP participation? Hear proven strategies that Maryland has implemented to improve communication with CACFP agencies and expand participation. Examine sustainable systems that support long-term growth and promote nutrition equity, plus practical ways to relay updates, training and guidance via multi-channel methods.