2026 NCNC
MAHA’s Impact on the CACFP and Child Nutrition Programs
How will the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement impact the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and other USDA nutrition programs? Come hear from leaders in nutrition policy and learn how MAHA priorities will influence nutrition policy.
Read MoreShaping the Future of the CACFP
Join the NCA policy team for an overview of the current CACFP policy landscape and the latest updates influencing the program. This interactive session invites attendees to share perspectives, ask questions, and provide feedback to help inform ongoing policy discussions and future priorities.
Read MoreTIC-TAC: Freshen Up Your Program’s Morale
Sometimes it’s not the food; it’s the energy. From overwhelmed staff to disengaged parents, many programs are struggling to bounce back from poor morale, mistrust and messy rollouts. Uncover where your program left a bad taste and how to refresh the flavor of trust, teamwork and true engagement by using the TIC-TAC method.
Read MoreHealthy Habits Outdoors: Nutrition and Play in Child Care
What if the outdoors could be your most powerful teaching tool? Create healthy, engaging outdoor spaces that support wellness and meet CACFP nutrition standards. Connect gardening, outdoor meals, active play and rest to daily routines that foster lifelong healthy habits for children in care.
Read MoreServing Afterschool Meals Makes Cents
Did you know that federal funding is available to help cover the cost of afterschool snacks and suppers served at sites? This program, which has been available since 2010, is a key way to draw down reimbursement and support your overall operations. Learn about emerging trends and opportunities to get started!
Read MoreFood for Good: Maximizing Your Vendor Relationship
PepsiCo’s Food for Good (FFG) program is more than just a meal provider. They are a partner committed to helping you deliver nutritious, innovative and cost-effective meals that kids love. Learn how FFG can support your summer, afterschool and year-round programs with customizable solutions, operational expertise and a shared mission to nourish every child.
Read MoreNon-Congregate Summer Meals: Learnings and Expansion Opportunities
No Kid Hungry conducted extensive research with families, sponsors and agencies involved in non-congregate summer meal service. Gain insights from hundreds of participants and operators over the first three years of nationwide implementation reveal promising practices and opportunities to expand this innovative summer meal option even further.
Read MoreThe Future of School Meals: Innovation and Student Engagement
What if school lunch was the best part of a student’s day? Explore creative strategies to modernize school cafeterias, enhance meal appeal and increase student participation. From smart tech solutions to student-led innovations and emerging nutrition trends, uncover what’s next for school food and how your district can lead the way.
Read MoreLet’s Try It! Taste Testing in Emergency Shelters
In a world full of highly processed foods, where “eat healthy” can feel like a dirty word, the mission was simple: help people enjoy and eat more vegetables. Taste-testing events at our shelters turned into a hands-on adventure of discovery. The taste tests revealed methods, results and lessons that will shape future meals and menus.
Read MoreGarden-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.
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